‘Anyone can be anything’: Charlotte teen with big dreams mentored by local fashion designer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Jacob Sanders is dreaming big, even when at times his dreams have felt out of reach.

WBTV’s Caroline Hicks first met the now 15 year old and his three siblings in 2020, when they were relying on a hotspot from the library for virtual learning during the pandemic.

His mother shared their struggles as a family with WBTV, from homelessness to online learning without home internet.

Now, she has a stable job, and they are grateful to be living in a new home.

Jacob aspires to be a fashion designer one day, and thanks to the mentorship of a local designer in Charlotte, he’s one step closer to making his dream a reality.

“I love that you can put your creativity, put your thoughts on paper without having to be judged,” Sanders told WBTV.

He says he finds his escape through art.

“I would like to be a fashion designer, get my fashion out to the world,” he said.

It’s a dream he hopes to accomplish, not just for himself.

“I’d like to help my mom,” he said. “Like if she needs help with Medicaid or hospital bills, could just help her. I’ll be like, here you go, Mom.”

He knows it will take hard work and devotion, which he had the opportunity to learn first hand.

Charlotte-based designer Luis Machicao welcomed Jacob into his world, working with him in his fashion studio over the past few months.

“It kind of touched my heart because I kind of see myself in him and he’s very curious,” Machicao said. “He wants to know so many things.”

On the first day they met, Machicao said there would be aspects to the job that might surprise Jacob.

“What you see on TV, you know, people who design dresses and make outfits [and] it comes so easy, it’s not like that,” he said. “You have to be very persistent, and if you’re going to pursue this career, man, you have to have a lot of patience and be very strong.”

From measuring fabric, to sewing stiches and everything in between, Jacob did it all.

“I’m going to push him into this world and he will learn, slowly but surely he will learn,” Machicao said.

Over time, what started as Jacob’s drawing, transformed into draped fabric, a tailored bodice, and finally his first ever dress.

“I’m speechless, I can’t even think of what to say,” Jacob said when he saw the finished dress. “It’s amazing, it’s a piece of art.”

He was excited to learn he could take it home with him.

The best part is that he has a home, something he does not take for granted.

“When we were living back at the motel, well, I didn’t really feel safe,” Jacob said.

With safety no longer a concern and this experience under his belt, he’s looking to the future.

“I want to go to a fashion college or something of the sort, like art college,” he said. “I also do want to get a backup degree, like maybe my masters or something. You know?”

Life has taught him to be practical, although he is still reaching for the stars.

“I might just be like a little local tailor,” he said. “If I do become famous, I hope one day my designs would get into the Met Gala.”

He has a message for other kids reaching for their own dreams.

“Anyone can be anything,” he said.

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