Crystal is a designer and mother who believes with determination anything is possible
By Utamu Belle
Motherhood is nothing short of amazing, as proven by one of Linden’s top fashion designers and mother of two, Crystal Lam.
At 24, Crystal, a young mother of two girls, is already a budding entrepreneur in the local fashion industry and the innovative mind behind Crystal Lam Designs. For her, motherhood is the driving force and motivation behind her success story.
Crystal started off with careers in banking and public sector, but sewing and designing have been her passion since the tender age of 12. She would sew school uniforms for her high school friends. Her first major opportunity came in 2008, when at age 15 she presented her inaugural line, Eye Candy, at ‘Linden Fashion Night’. Lam admits that the exposure afforded by this event was a “superb one”.
The designer recalled in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine that at the age of 19 she became pregnant with her first child. Consequently, she decided to put a hold on fashion designing in order to take up her new role as a mother. But after learning how to balance mother and work, she decided to pick up where she left off in her fashion career.
“I told myself that motherhood is more important. But I learned to balance it,” she stated.
Having had her second child a few months ago, Lam explained that the experience has taught her how to manage her family while pursuing her dreams.
“I think sometimes people make a lot of excuses. I just had to work out a system. But I don’t think being a mother is an excuse for you to put your dreams on hold. You have to find a way to incorporate it, to make it work.
“With my second pregnancy, I initially doubted I could make motherhood and a career work, but I was determined to do both and learned to be balanced. I participated in Guyana Fashion Week and acquired my work studio, all the while being pregnant. I think this pushed me further and caused me to be even more motivated,” Crystal expressed.
Crystal disclosed that working a “9 to 5 job was more stable”, however, after several years of juggling a fulltime job and a designing career, she decided to fully commit to fashion designing in 2015.
“It was like a prison doing something that I wasn’t passionate about. I felt like I was being suffocated. So in 2015, I took the risk and decided to go fulltime as a fashion designer,” she recollected.
The designer admitted that balancing motherhood and a career in fashion designing is demanding, but she is positive that her efforts will pay off in the long run.
“If I tell you that it’s easy, I’d be lying. There are times of doubt and wanting to go back to a ‘regular’ job. But I think when you’re passionate about something that gives you the extra drive to keep pushing ahead,” she expressed.
Crystal also credits the “immense support” from her family for her drive. For instance, her younger sister assists with babysitting and also with designing.
The entrepreneur pointed out that it is important to allocate time for relaxation, despite having a hectic schedule. This, she said, contributes to being a rounded individual.
Crystal has produced five fashionable collections, participated in Style Mission and Guyana Fashion Week events. Other achievements include being awarded ‘Best Gown’ prizes for her designs in two Linden Town Week Pageants and ‘Best Professional Wear’ for her design at another fashion event.
Presently, the designer is planning to launch her male clothing collection next month; a bridal collection and to offer exclusive bridal services, such as hair and makeup. Notably, through her bridal services, she is focused on creating employment for other young entrepreneurs.
Despite hectic schedules, Crystal always finds time for her children. She said she would like to set an example for her daughters and to provide “the kind of life that I would like to see my girls live”. Additionally, Crystal teaches her children, by example, that anything is possible if you are determined. She is a firm believer that “children should be allowed to craft their own paths, as it relates to the profession they want to choose and that parents should assist in nurturing their dreams”.
Her advice to young mothers is “don’t just look for jobs, create them”. She added: “There’s always something you can do. You don’t have to neglect your kids. I think everyone was created with some skill, so explore that creativity. Look for avenues to create employment for yourself. Also, stick to the plan, persevere and keep working towards your achievement, it will eventually pay off,” she encouraged.
For more information on the designer’s work, visit Crystal Lam Designs on Facebook.
