“Minnie & Me”

Shopping for a dress to wear to an inaugural ball Ball—for a governor I hadn’t voted for—was a challenge. Then, mere hours before the command performance, there it was … a little black cocktail dress that leaned just a few ticks shy of irreverent.

The centerpiece of the design was Minnie Mouse. From her black mouse ears with red bow to the iconic white gloves, Minnie rocked it. Friendly, carefree, she captured my feelings exactly. We’re here to celebrate, so let’s not take ourselves too seriously!

When Ms. Mouse emerged from the back of a closet years later, she quietly demanded an update. Her ensemble was transformed into a statement piece, offering commentary on identity and self-expression in a complex social landscape.

Minnie is inviting the viewer to reflect on their own narratives and the roles they play within a larger cultural dialogue.