Fashion is my foundation. I started with Haute Couture, and everything else came later.
As a teenager, fashion magazines and luxury fashion houses sucked me into their world. I was enthralled with their creations, their branding and storytelling, the feeling of escape they gave me, and the hope for more. I was a creative-minded kid, and it was fashion that showed me it was possible to have a career--a life-- that wouldn't stifle me.
It gave me an anchor that provided emotional and intellectual security throughout those teenage years and then early adulthood. As I dared to explore life's purpose and meaning, I always had something to fall back on and comfort me when I became confused or depressed. It always made sense, and it will always induce a special reaction in me even though I’ve happily grown to not live and breathe it.
I am forever grateful to my parents for letting me jump on that wagon as early as I did and cheer me on as I drove away. In fact, it was their idea I drop out of high school and begin college to start my fashion studies. They paid my way through higher education, bought every single magazine, clothing item, decoration, and all the other purchases that indulged my passion. Later they would also fund my business, ANDOLSEK.
From 2013 to 2022, I owned and operated a private dressmaking and small-batch ready-to-wear business, ANDOLSEK, in Salt Lake City, Utah. These are some of my creations from that time.
Elsa Harper photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Leanne Freedman photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Dieumerci Kasemire photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Dieumerci Kasemire photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Dieumerci Kasemire photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Dieumerci Kasemire (left) and Elsa Harper (right) photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Leanne Freedman (left) and Elsa Harper (right) photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Elsa Harper (left), Leanne Freedman (center), and Dieumerci Kasemire (right) photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Leanne Freedman photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Elsa Harper (right) photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Leanne Freedman photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Dieumerci Kasemire (left), Leanne Freedman (center), and Elsa Harper (right), photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Leanne Freedman (left) and Elsa Harper (right) photographed by Phillip Istomin, Hair by Steven Robertson, and Makeup by Liz Oyeneyin
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by my other sister, Louie Brown
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by my other sister, Louie Brown
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by my other sister, Louie Brown
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Kate Denny (my sister) photographed by me
Rebecca Patton photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by me
Lex Barrus photographed by me, Makeup by my sister, Louie Brown
Emily Bergeson photographed by me
Lillian Charlotte Ava photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Lillian Charlotte Ava photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Lillian Charlotte Ava photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
My creation photographed by Michael Ori
My creation photographed by Michael Ori
My creation photographed by Michael Ori
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Hanna Andolsek (my sister) photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Many aspects of my creations were done by hand
My creation photographed by Michael Ori
Dana Moore photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Lillian Charlotte Ava photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Lillian Charlotte Ava photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
(Left to right) Kamali'i Kulani, Jenna DelloRusso, Morgan Olson, and Christina Niemann photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Ellen Magliulo photographed by me
(Left to right) Kamali'i Kulani, Christina Niemann, Morgan Olson, and Jenna DelloRusso photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Morgan Olson photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Morgan Olson (left), Kamali'i Kulani (center), and Christina Niemann (right) photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Abrams
Kamali'i Kulani Stopper photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Kamali'i Kulani (left) and Morgan Olson (right) photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
All my buttons were made by a jeweler
My gown and headpiece featured in an art gallery
(Left to right) Maya Williams, Emily Bitter, Sheila Harris, Lillian Charlotte Ava, Emily Bergeson, NaTeisha Ewin, Tandra Steiner, and Abby Sands photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
My creation photographed by Michael Ori
My creation photographed by Michael Ori
Emily Bergeson photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Sheila Harris photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
Andrea Steele photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez
My creation photographed by Michael Ori
NaTeisha Ewin and me photographed by Vince Abrams
Lillian Charlotte Ava photographed by Michael Ori, Hair & Makeup by Vince Hernandez