My name is Rachelle Briton and I work in multiple areas of fashion. My titles in fashion are fashion/costume designer, wardrobe stylist, artist, trend forecaster, and trend-setter. Currently I am the Style Ambassador in Austin for Harper's Bazaar Magazine. I've worked in many different areas of fashion, including the F.I.G. in Dallas and as a celebrity wardrobe stylist for MTV and TRL back in the day in NYC. I found my way back to Texas and started my first collection Rachelle Briton Designs. I then got hitched to my hubby Brian and we rescued the most fabulous dog "Prissy Pants". Life was legend...wait for it…dary; but I hadn't really experienced real life yet, it was lurking around a dark corner.
I would describe my life as a roller coaster that has the highest highs and the lowest lows, with twists and turns along the way.
It's like waiting in line to jump on a ride and not being sure you want to enter because you can't turn back and you just don't know what to expect.
I literally had over night success. I shot up to the top and my first fashion show had over 1,000 seated women. My career was going so fast and I had to quit my other job. In the blink of an eye the roller coaster ended up flipping me upside down and I hit rock bottom.
First our house and my studio was filled with mold (from the previous owners) so we had to move out into a tiny studio apartment. I then became very ill. I ended up going to the Mayo Clinic twice and had four surgeries over the past year and a half. After two years of searching for answers, I have finally been diagnosed with Chronic Sclerosing Osteomyelitis. This extremely rare jaw infection causes my right lower jaw to rash and swell, and causes excruciating pain which cannot be treated with antibiotics.
My career and life slipped through my fingers like sand. I can no longer work or drive due to the condition that I am currently in and the medication I have been prescribed. I feel like my life is stuck but after years of searching, there is hope. I am going to have my next surgery in Miami, on July 18, 2013, which will involve removing most of the lower part of my right jaw, and replacing the area with a titanium chain. Then, six to twelve months later, I will go back to Miami to have a bone graft performed (bone will be taken from my hips and lower leg). My jaw will have to be wired shut for roughly six weeks in order to allow the bone to set.
Finally, after another six months of healing, we will begin the process of implanting teeth back into that area of my mouth that has been affected. At that time, I should be pain free and hopefully getting back on my feet to follow my dreams again.
To be quiet honest it is very hard for me. You see I am a go-getter kind of person. My husband has set up a charity for me to help reduce the debt from previous medical bills, and to help pay for the upcoming surgeries in Miami. The link is below:
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/rachelle-s-trip-to-miami-for-surgery-5-jaw-resection-/58786
It is humiliating to ask for help. Ironically, I was the one doing charity fashion shows and raising money for people in need, but now I am one of those who need assistance.
Some words to describe me: fun, silly, blunt, creative, interesting.
I am starting a blog for 3 reasons: Therapy for me, for people who care for me who want to know how I am, and for people fighting a rare disease to find comfort. I am not seeking attention or intend for you to feel bad for me. You asked for it and here it is, the pure, at times ugly, and beautiful truth.
I once felt like a princess of fashion and beauty. But after all that has transpired, will I ever feel like I had before…or will the scares remain for ever more. But please know, I fully intend to reign again.
Xoxo
Rachelle Briton
