Saying Goodbye to David Bowie

Monday was a difficult day. On Sunday, I had stayed up kind of late for the Golden Globes, and then woke up to news of David Bowie's passing.

It was a struggle to lift myself out of bed that morning. Now, like most, I did not know David Bowie. But he meant a lot to me, nonetheless. I was devastated.

I was lucky enough to be born into a family with a very serious love for music. My father spent a good portion of my young life taking me through his extensive record collection, educating me on the beginning of rock and roll, and taking me on a musical journey through the years.

Bowie was a big part of my musical learnings. And once I heard him, I was entranced. Every note was so unique, every song had so much depth. Every album was a story. I love Bowie's music very intensely. I loved how his lyrics flowed, how he wrote his songs. And then, I saw photos of him. I fell even deeper in love.

I can credit David Bowie for sparking what became my life-long love affair with fashion. Fashion eventually became what I "did" with my life. I have spent my career in the fashion world and the first inklings of my obsession are because of David Bowie.

Later, I read biographies. Anything I could get my hands on. I obsessed over him. Knew as many details as I could. Some of those details have since faded from my mind, but one thing remained true: I loved David Bowie for everything he gave me.

David Bowie did a lot for the world. A lot more than many people even realize. He was an artist in the truest form. He broke boundaries in the music world, the fashion world, for gender bias, for so many things. He influenced so many of our favourite artists. Without him, there would be so much less.

It's been hard to express why I was so crushed when I found out that he died, and I still find it difficult to put words to this feeling I have. I have been able to verbalize this: I don't think we will see another man quite like him in our lives. His passing is a tragic loss for our world. It seems silly to elevate someone to such heights - after all, he was still a man - but he was a man like no other. He was courageous, talented, bold and so generous with his art.

We are very lucky to have lived in a time where we got to experience David Bowie.

Rest in Peace.