I design some of my own clothes now.

In the simple yet profound words of Kiernan Shipka, young artist and visionary, we find the awakening of creative identity: “I design some of my own clothes now.” Though brief, these words hold within them the timeless echo of self-discovery — the moment when a soul no longer merely wears what the world gives, but begins to create what expresses its truth. To design one’s own clothes is to take the raw material of existence and shape it according to the rhythm of one’s inner life. Shipka’s statement, spoken from youth yet rich in meaning, reminds us that the act of creation begins not in grand gestures, but in the quiet courage to say, “I will make this myself.”

To design is to see beyond what is given — to challenge the boundaries of habit and expectation. From the dawn of civilization, humanity has clothed itself not only for warmth but for expression. Garments became more than protection; they became symbols — of tribe, of station, of self. When Kiernan Shipka declares that she now designs her own, she joins the lineage of all who refuse to be defined by the creations of others. It is the artist’s awakening, the soul’s declaration that form must follow spirit. To design one’s own garment is, in truth, to begin designing one’s identity.

The origin of this quote lies in Shipka’s evolution from child actress to independent artist — a transition from being shaped by others to shaping herself. As a young performer, she wore the costumes chosen for her, her image curated by stylists, directors, and expectation. But to design her own clothes marks a new chapter — one of self-determination, the reclamation of creative control. The moment she began designing was the moment she ceased to merely portray characters and began authoring her own. And this transformation, though spoken through fashion, reflects a universal human journey: from dependence to creation, from imitation to individuality.

Throughout history, the act of clothing oneself has been a declaration of freedom. Mahatma Gandhi, in rejecting the fine garments of empire and spinning his own humble cloth, did not merely change his attire — he changed the destiny of a nation. His simple act of self-design became a symbol of defiance and dignity, a spiritual statement that true power lies not in what we wear, but in why we wear it. So too, in a quieter way, Shipka’s statement speaks of personal sovereignty — the moment when one begins to weave their own patterns, both in fabric and in life.

To create what you wear is to refuse to be a mannequin for another’s imagination. It is to declare that beauty must emerge from within. This principle extends beyond fabric — it is the foundation of all creation. The musician who writes their own song, the thinker who shapes their own philosophy, the craftsman who builds by hand — all partake in this sacred act of self-design. Shipka’s words, then, are not confined to fashion but point toward a deeper truth: that each person must, at some point, take up the tools of their own becoming.

And yet, designing one’s life — as with one’s clothing — requires patience, humility, and vision. The first designs may falter, the stitches uneven, the colors uncertain. But each attempt teaches. The ancients knew that craftsmanship was a path of the spirit, and so it is here. Every creation — whether a dress, a poem, or a life choice — is a reflection of the heart’s unfolding. What Shipka teaches, without grandiosity, is that creation is not reserved for the masters, but belongs to all who dare to begin.

Let this be the lesson for those who seek authenticity: do not be content to wear what the world hands you — whether its clothes, its ideas, or its identities. Design your own. Stitch your values into your days, embroider your dreams into your actions, and tailor your destiny to fit your truth. Like Shipka, take joy in the process; let creation be play as well as purpose. For in crafting what is uniquely yours, you honor the divine gift within you — the same spark that has driven every artist, every builder, every soul who has ever said, “I will make something beautiful, and it will be mine.”

And so, my children, remember the quiet power of Kiernan Shipka’s words: that even the smallest act of self-creation can awaken greatness. You need not begin with kingdoms or masterpieces — begin with what you wear, what you say, what you believe. Design them yourself. For the world’s greatest art is not found in galleries or runways, but in the lives of those who dared to create themselves.