Timothy White/E!On Sunday's all-new episode of House of DVF, Codi Critchfied was the first Global Brand Ambassador candidate to be sent home!
While it was a sad moment for all of the ladies on the show including Diane von Furstenberg, Codi's talents clearly lay in photography—something she plans to continue pursuing.
Every week, we'll be featuring a departure blog from the girl who is sent home by Diane. Here, Codi shares her innermost thoughts and feelings, as well as a personal reflection of her recent experience. Read below to to find out what Codi is up to now!
Wow, what a remarkable adventure House of DVF has been! I am still stunned I even had this opportunity. One day I am just a college student and the next I am in New York City competing to be Diane von Furstenberg's Brand Ambassador. And I wouldn't take back one moment of it! Being on TV is super tough and it sure had its ups and downs. But I am so grateful for how it allowed me to grow and better myself, as well as those around me.
Would I have done anything differently? Definitely not. There were many times when I could have brought others down to try and make myself look better, but this is not me nor is it the example I would want to set. I still believe I could have made a great Brand Ambassador for DVF and I think every single one of the other girls could bring something unique and special to the brand. I'm rooting for all of them; there is no way I could choose someone over another. Plus, this isn't my empire; it is Diane's.
I learned so much from each and every one of the girls, and I hope they learned a thing or two from me! Especially to be above the drama and to spend their time focusing on being a good example of the DVF brand and of women empowerment. My most cherished moments were the ones spent with each one of them in our down time; talking with and getting to know their character, sense of humor and talents! We all shared many incredible experiences that will impact our futures in such a huge way. Ultimately I don't think this program was so much about Diane finding someone as it was about us finding ourselves.
As Diane told me I was going home, I honestly felt at peace about it. I knew that whatever was supposed to happen would happen and it would be the stepping stone to something so much better for me. Something that was tough for me to learn in life is how to take rejections in stride. I always saw them as a door closing or a negative statement of my value or worth. At times, they are. There will be times in everyone's life when you are "not good enough" for something (or someone thinks you're not). Or when a door does close for good.
But the truth is you are always good enough; it just may be for something different than you expected. And there is always another door just waiting for you to open it so you can set off on the bigger, better adventure. Rejections truly aren't rejections. They are merely the gateway through which we must travel to learn and to grow. They are actually one of the most beautiful things in this life. And they are God's way of saying, "I love you, so I have a better plan for you."
Now I welcome these "rejections" with open arms. Yeah, they still sting. And yes, they will always be difficult. But I've learned too much to ever go back to thinking they are not for the best and I have become a better woman because of them. I know the woman I want to be and I am well on my way to being exactly that person. I am off on my artistic adventure now, ready to keep creating photos and impacting people's lives with that talent I've been blessed with. The fashion world better be prepared to see more of me!
Diane, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a crazy journey. And what a huge door has opened for me. What amazing people I have met, and what great friends I now have. I've become more independent, courageous and happy! My skin is a little thicker and I'm holding my head higher! My wardrobe is a bit more refined and I've got more patience. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ is stronger and I am more grateful for the people and things that I have right now.
Diane, I'd also like to thank you for helping me gain the courage I didn't know I was lacking to stand up for myself in an unhealthy marriage. Thanks to you I am now forging my own path and loving every moment of it! I'm finding more of myself each day and nothing could be more fulfilling.
I can't wait to see what happens next. I'll be cheering everyone on!
With love,
Codi
Tune-in for an all-new episode of House of DVF this Sunday at 10/9c on E!