It all started two years ago while searching furiously for an outfit at the mall when the patterns and prints started to blend together. Despite all the stores she explored, she found herself wanting more. Nothing fit what she was looking for. So relying on her skill and innovation she decided to make her own clothes.

Senior A’rianna Bacon believes fashion is the key to expressing individuality. She believes no one should hide what’s different about themselves and embrace what makes them unique.

“A lot of people don’t see their flaws or differences as something to be proud of, but I think you should be proud of everything,” Bacon said.

She aspires to push people toward this mentality by using her brand titled “Different Breed” to place positive quotes on each shirt about the African American community.

Every time Bacon and her cousin would hang out, he repeated something that struck her.

“He kept saying the phrase [Different Breed] and it just stayed in my head and I’m like ‘Oh I am going to use it,’” Bacon said.

Once she acquired a brand name, she set out to distribute her dream to the public.

“I like to make clothes and stuff, I used to make my own T-shirts,” Bacon said. “So I figured why not make some for everyone else.”

Bacon’s mom began financing her dream to distribute her daughter’s vision because she wants Bacon to be her own boss. As of the last four months, Bacon has been working diligently to promote her brand.

“I use a lot of social media like Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter,” Bacon said. “Just sending it around and to my aunt’s and stuff and then they promote it.”

On Bacon’s website, she offers a selection of primarily hats and T-shirts that range anywhere from $15 to $30. She chose the price range because she understands not everyone can afford retail or designer clothes.

“When I go online and shop, I hate when stuff is cool but I can’t afford it,” Bacon said. “I know especially [high-schoolers] getting ready to go to college and stuff. How are they going to be able to afford a $45 hoodie just as a luxury?”

While other kids spend their free time on various things, Bacon spends a majority of hers improving and maintaining her website.

“Honestly I take a lot of dual credit classes,” Bacon said. “So with all that free time, I just put it into the business.”

The style of the font she uses for her brand expresses her message to be proud of the individual characteristics in each person.

“It looks like it’s dripping so it’s going to stay in your mind,” Bacon said. “So when you see it you’re going to know it’s my stuff.”

With all the various trends in the world, Bacon tries her best to stay up to date and incorporate her own vision into popular styles.

“I just [think] ‘What would I wear?’” Bacon said. “So every style, every layout is me just stepping back like all right, I’m a teenager, what would teenagers wear?”

She plans on an expansion in the future incorporating leggings and sweatpants and eventually expanding into a store.

“I want to go worldwide eventually at one point in time,” Bacon said. “I want to take it as far as it can go.”

For now, Bacon focuses solely on what she has available to work with.

“[With] the majority of the project my older cousin helps with processing stuff because he used to work at a post office,” Bacon said. “So shipping wise, we ship some of it out to farther places through the post office but [at] nearby places, he delivers.”

Bacon’s mother, Shameka, feels it is her job to support Bacon in every aspect of life. When Shameka saw the enthusiasm Bacon had and how excited her daughter got every time she interacted with someone who was interested in her work. It was more than enough to push her to make her daughter’s dream come true.

“My ideas consist of building a business plan, evolving with the demographic,” Shameka said. “I am a sounding board, financial supporter, distributor, inventory auditor and business advisor. [We plan on] starting a non-profit group to help young girls in our community who may have similar goals as Arianna and promote opportunities for other young entrepreneurs to showcase their talents.”

Until then, Bacon looks forward to the mass expansion of her clothing line and so does her model senior Rosaria Scarlett.

“I think Bacon will be very successful in her clothing line,” Scarlett said. “I think she’s sending a great message about how everyone isn’t the same and they’re beautiful in their own ways. I’m part of ‘Different Breed’ because no one’s exactly like me.”