Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Chapman
Hi Julia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From a young age, I struggled to express my thoughts through words, often feeling like I couldn’t fully communicate what was inside me. Fashion became my outlet, a way to speak without having to say anything at all. Every outfit I put together was a reflection of my emotions, my creativity, and my evolving sense of self. Whether it was bold colors on days I felt confident or layered textures when I needed comfort, dressing up became my personal language. Over time, what started as a coping mechanism turned into a passion, and I realized that fashion wasn’t just about clothing—it was about storytelling, identity, and self-expression in its purest form. But from the moment I stepped into high school, fashion was my art, my voice, and my way of making every hallway feel like a runway. I carefully curated every outfit, treating each day like a new opportunity to express myself. By senior year, my love for thrifting and styling caught the attention of my classmates, and I was honored to be featured in the yearbook for my unique fashion sense. That same year, I was invited to participate in a passion project centered around creators bringing their art to life. For me, that art was—and always has been—fashion.
Fast forward to my junior year of college, I had a vision for my capstone project that was bigger than anything I had ever done before: an entire fashion line made from upcycled materials. I designed and handcrafted every piece, documented the entire process through a magazine, social media and a documentary, and brought it all to life with a fashion show. After the show, I hosted an exhibition where the audience could see the designs up close. That moment, standing in a room filled with my creations and seeing my vision come to life, was when I knew—without a doubt—that fashion was my purpose. When awards were handed out at our mass banquet, I was honored to receive the Capstone Award for my project, cementing my dreams into reality.
But my journey didn’t stop there. My biggest supporter—my incredible husband—encouraged me to take a leap of faith, step away from traditional work, and fully dedicate myself to my creative passions. So for the past four and a half months, I’ve poured my heart into creating fashion videos, designing, and styling. This experience has been life-changing, proving that dreams really can become reality when you work toward them with passion and persistence. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s this: never take a small victory for granted, because every step forward is a step closer to making your dreams come true.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In any great adventure, obstacles and challenges are inevitable. Chasing my dream in fashion has been no exception. One of the biggest hurdles I faced was convincing my professors in college that fashion is not just about aesthetics—it’s a powerful form of communication. I strongly believed that fashion is one of the most influential ways we express ourselves, yet when I proposed my capstone project, I had to fight to get it approved. Many didn’t initially see fashion as a valid medium for digital storytelling, so I had to advocate for my vision, proving that my work had depth, purpose, and impact.
Beyond external challenges, one of my greatest obstacles was internal—my own fear of failure. The thought of putting so much of myself into my work, only to possibly fall short, was terrifying. But I had to face that fear head-on. I had to learn that pride and self-doubt weren’t good enough reasons to hold myself back from chasing my dreams. Overcoming that mindset shift was just as important as any technical skill I developed along the way.
Through these challenges, I’ve learned resilience, confidence, and the power of believing in my own vision. Every obstacle has only reinforced my passion, and I wouldn’t change a single struggle because they’ve shaped me into the creator I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a full-time creator, every day is a new adventure. I have the freedom to bring any idea to life—whether it’s a thrift flip, a styling video, or a simple come thrifting with me. The best part? I get to decide the creative direction, shaping each project around thrifting and sustainability is exactly how I envision it !
The excitement doesn’t stop after filming. The moment I sit down at my computer to edit, I’m fully in my element. Learning new techniques, mastering new software, and fine-tuning my skills make this process so rewarding. Every challenge I face while editing pushes me to grow, and each day, I see myself getting better and better. That constant evolution is what makes being a creator so thrilling—I’m always learning, always improving, and always creating something new.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t know if luck has anything to do with my journey, but I truly feel like the luckiest woman in the world. The real “luck” in my life isn’t about chance—it’s about the incredible people who surround me. I have an amazing and supportive team, a husband who believes in me wholeheartedly, a family that encourages my dreams, and a group of friends who share my passions and they all push me to be better every day. That’s my luck right there—being surrounded by love, support, and inspiration. And with that kind of foundation, I feel like I can accomplish anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliamoran627.wixsite.com/portfoliodraf
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juuj.goldenchild?igsh=MWF3NHRwaTFudjh5Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-moran-055b2a21b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jujumoran?si=CFZLOG4O_972dvJh
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@juuj.chapman?_t=ZP-8tuf1bGjrZP&_r=1
