Washington, D.C. — Adriel Sanders, a former corporate attorney, made a bold decision to leave her legal career behind in pursuit of her true passion for fashion. After years of feeling unfulfilled in her job, Sanders opted for a life of creativity and self-expression, ultimately relocating to Paris, where she intends to launch her own clothing line.
For nearly two decades, Sanders practiced law primarily in corporate securities and mergers and acquisitions. Despite achieving a significant salary of $286,656 and working as general counsel for a publicly traded company, she felt increasingly marginalized in an environment where, as a Black woman, she encountered persistent barriers. “You’re constantly hitting up against this glass ceiling,” she reflected on her experience, noting that she found the legal field to be lacking in intellectual stimulation and satisfaction.
In 2017, Sanders took a trip to Paris with her brothers that ignited a new vision for her life. She described her first experience in the city as transformative, realizing upon arrival, “This is where you will always be.” That epiphany led her to make plans to move across the Atlantic and fully embrace her aspirations after several visits to the French capital.
As her dreams started to solidify, Sanders quit her job in January 2020 and began the steps to relocate. She sought assistance finding an apartment and secured a French visa, only to arrive the day before the country imposed lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on the timing, she observed, “The slowness of the world meant that France sped up,” acknowledging the shared sense of confusion during that unprecedented moment.
Upon settling in Paris, Sanders signed a lease for a one-bedroom apartment costing €1,550 (about $1,815 USD). After living there for two years, she moved to a two-bedroom apartment, with rent increasing to $2,540 USD. Adapting to Parisian life presented challenges; she reported spending approximately $5,000 on an unfurnished kitchen and nearly $10,000 more to make her apartment feel like home. Monthly expenses average about €963 (around $1,128 USD), which include utilities and cultural memberships.
Transitioning from law to fashion required risk and determination. Sanders had previously consulted sporadically as a lawyer while nurturing her creativity through photography. With $200,000 in her business account and $70,000 in personal savings, she dedicated herself to building her fashion brand, Adriel Felise, aiming to launch a 10-piece collection by 2026. Her network of family support has also been invaluable, allowing her to invest in this venture without the constant worry of financial instability.
Sanders now finds joy in her self-funded creative path and hopes to inspire other women, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. “My goal and desire is to inspire women — particularly black and brown women — to just pursue their dreams,” she stated. Despite the challenges, she embraces the fulfillment that comes from aligning her career with her passions. Sanders does not see herself returning to the United States, envisioning a permanent life immersed in the rich culture of Paris and future plans to buy a home in the countryside.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Sanders reflects on her journey, wishing she had made her move sooner. “I don’t want to be classified as anything other than a woman who believed in herself enough to ignore the naysayers and go for her hopes and dreams,” she said, encapsulating her ambition and resilience.
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