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Fashion Designer Talyn Khanbabyan: A Mentor's Story

Create Now! Mentor Talyn Khanbabyan is a fashion designer. She has taught several popular Fashion Design Workshops at Aviva Center group homes for abused, neglected and abandoned teenage girls. Here's her story:

I first heard about Create Now! two years ago while searching online for a volunteer program to become a part of. I immediately was attracted to their vision of helping to change lives through creative arts mentoring, and was thrilled at the opportunity to enhance the lives of others through creative expression. I have always believed that creativity is essential in many ways, and was excited to find a place to put my knowledge and passion to use. I have worked in the fashion industry for about six years now, and feel fortunate to be working in a field I love. Inspiring and helping others is equally important to me, so when I learned that Create Now! was interested in starting a Fashion Design Workshop for the Aviva Center in Hollywood, I couldn't wait to get started.

Although eager to teach my craft, I mostly wanted to be an inspiration to the girls. I wanted them to know there are many creative channels that can become future careers, and with the right tools and attitude, you can accomplish many goals and dreams. I have learned along the way that inspiration is reflective, as I have been inspired by these girls in return. Their creative and artistic abilities are nothing short of amazing. Some are a little hesitant in the beginning, and in the end turn out such beautiful and original ideas. To witness this process is wonderful, and I am grateful to be a part of it. Their fearlessness in putting themselves wholeheartedly into their work is astonishing. Even those who do not seem enthused in the beginning find something they like doing.

I like starting with simple activities such as magazine collages, because I know the girls can just tear out whatever they're drawn to. I tell them if they like it, for whatever reason, to tear it out and paste it down. Even if it's something that's not fashion related. There can be inspiration in an advertisement for kitchen countertops, if you like the pattern in the tiles. From the collages we then find a specific outfit to design. If there were an awards show such as the Grammys coming up, I'd have the girls create a gown for any musician they admired as their muse, using their collages for ideas. It's helpful to incorporate someone they look up to, and during the process I try to get them talking about what they like about the person, or what they feel a connection to - the music, the persona, the style, etc. to keep the project interactive. Another way of accomplishing this is to have them team up with someone else, and based on her preference, design something for them as if they were clients. They have a lot of fun with this and often do more than one outfit or dress in the hour! Even though the results are beautiful, I have learned the process is more rewarding than the resulting aesthetic. It is the journey, not the destination that is important.

I am very much looking forward to future projects with Create Now! I often wish I had more time to give to such an essential organization. I can not think of anything more inspiring than helping others through artistic expression, and fostering a sense of accomplishment in the children at the same time. Many of these children have beautiful inherent qualities and talents that just need the right tools so they can surface and cultivate the imagination. With an organization such as Create Now!, there are abundant tools, resources, and inspiration to start the journey and spark endless possibilities.