Designing a future

Glance into Jacklyn Maza's bedroom and it's clear what she's all about.

Each wall is dedicated to her passion, her fashion passion. Cutouts from Teen Vogue and Lucky magazine pinpoint trends she wants to wear and fashion "art" that inspires her. Magazines line her bookshelves and rows of shoes embrace her closet door. She knows one day she'll be a part of the world she emulates on her bedroom walls.

Jacklyn, who will be a senior at Bishop Moore High School next year, has begun her adventure into the fashion world with her own jewelry business. JB Designs is the first step in a big plan for the 17-year-old. She makes old new again by modifying and mixing vintage jewelry and beads with new glass and metal ones.

She came up with the idea to mix in vintage herself, which goes with her "50s with an edge" fashion sense, and said that she started making jewelry when she could never find what she wanted in stores.

"I never really saw just stuff that was interesting," she said.

So Jacklyn made what she wanted. Now her mother and aunt give the jewelry Jacklyn makes to clients as gifts. She hopes to start a website to sell the jewelry online.

Jacklyn also uses the jewelry to help others. She volunteers at a local thrift store and has had what she calls a "jewelry day." That day, she gives each customer a pair of earrings she's made for every $10 they spend at the store. Jacklyn plans to show off her fashion skills in the store's display window with outfits she puts together.

"I really want people to see Brother's Keeper not just as a thrift store," she said.

She hopes her input will help make the store more successful.

"She cares — she wants to put her passion to work to help people," said Cathy Griffin, Jacklyn's aunt.

That business mindset is new for Jacklyn, who just accompanied Griffin to New York Fashion Week and squeezed tips and advice from every fashion player she met, including many on the InStyle magazine staff.

Jacklyn plans to head to California for college after she graduates and major in business — what many fashion insiders suggested — or in English. Her mom isn't at all worried about her moving across the country because she knows her daughter has confidence and guts.

"I always tell her, you don't have to be the smartest; you just have to be the bravest," mom Kelly Maza said.

Jacklyn doesn't plan on stopping now. She knows in the end, she'll be doing what she loves.

"Seeing in the future in 10 years — just knowing if I do this now it'll pay off and I'll get to live my dream," she said.

Jacklyn hopes her future will include a stint as editor of American Vogue magazine.

"I love Anna Wintour, but I would love to take her job."