For Asian Pacific American
Heritage Month, News 12’s Nick Meidanis has the story of a New
Jersey teen with fashion in her blood.
Eighteen-year-old Kayla Santos
taught herself how to sew, but now it’s more of a passion.
“The first COVID lockdown it all started, I was just sewing constantly and I
kind of just grew,” says Kayla.
But she’s always had an eye for fashion, authoring the basics of dressing up
before she could even spell shirt. Turns out it’s in her blood, thanks to her
grandma.
Her name is Esterlita Santos. She ran her own business in the Philippines. They
never got the chance to meet but Kayla heard stories, and something clicked.
“There’s like a reason that I’m like so into this that I should definitely want
to pursue that in the future,” says Kayla.
There’s another person who helped Kayla reach the next level -- her art
teacher. While so many students suffered learning at home, Kayla excelled —
working overtime, doing own research and making creations
without being asked.
Kayla’s work was used in the school play -- "The Wedding Singer."
Kayla found inspiration from grandma, who made the dress worn by Kayla’s aunt.
Kayla says her goal is to reopen her grandmother’s business — Essence. For now,
she’s working on her own prom dress. She only let News 12 show
a small portion of it, but it will be bold and big — like barely fitting
through doors big.