Teenage girl with terminal cancer fulfills dream of launching a fashion line after ticking off ambition to become a CoverGirl Talia Joy Castellano, 13, from Orlando, Florida, last year become a face of CoverGirl thanks to the success of her YouTube make-up tutorials Last year Talia revealed that she had both neuroblastoma and leukemia. Doctors suggested a bone marrow transplant, but the teenager has decided forgo further treatment and enjoy her remaining days
She has already been made a CoverGirl and her YouTube video blog has generated over 39million views. Now Talia Joy Castellano has achieved another dream: fashion designer.
The 13-year-old, from Orlando, Florida, who has terminal cancer, is set to launch a collection for teenagers with Los Angeles-based designer, Urbana Chappa.
The pair met earlier this month create the line and plan on launching their apparel brand in the coming weeks. Talia told MailOnline that she wants to ‘show young teens that they can express themselves with clothes.’
Ms Chappa, who runs a womenswear label called Maison De Urbana, decided to help fulfill Talia’s dream of becoming a fashion designer after hearing her inspirational story on the Ellen show last fall.
Fulfilling her dreams: Talia with Los Angeles-based designer Urbana Chappa
She flew to Florida on April 15 to meet her at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando and help bring her design ideas to life.
Talia was first diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma cancer, a tumor that develops from nerve tissue in infants and children, on Valentine’s Day in 2007 when she was just seven years old.
Following chemotherapy, surgery and radiation she was cancer-free for one year but in September 2008 doctors found the disease had spread to a small lymph node near her heart.
For the next four years she received various treatments, but after periods of remission the cancer kept on returning to other parts of her body.
Last year she revealed that she had neuroblastoma and leukemia at the same time.
Doctors suggested a bone marrow transplant as a possible remedy but Talia decided forgo another painful surgery and enjoy her remaining days.
Ms Chappa, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 19 but successfully overcame the disease, explained that meeting Talia was an experience ‘I’ll never forget.’
Talia
Talia Castellano
Trend-setter: Talia says that her favorite styles include ‘preppy’, ‘rocker’ and ‘boho chic’
‘Even though she was sick in the hospital, we made the best of our time. She’s so full of life that it’s hard for me to imagine that she has cancer.
‘We talked, sketched, worked on her line. My heart hurts to know that she has to go through this and that she had so much she wants to do and accomplish.
Step-by-step: The youngster’s YouTube tutorials have attracted more than 39million hits
Inspirational eyes: Talia, who was first diagnosed with with stage four neuroblastoma cancer on Valentine’s Day in 2007, make-up allows her to feel like she can embrace the features that she really like about herself
Inspirational eyes: Talia, who was first diagnosed with with stage four neuroblastoma cancer on Valentine’s Day in 2007, make-up allows her to feel like she can embrace the features that she really like about herself
Inspirational eyes: Talia, who was first diagnosed with with stage four neuroblastoma cancer on Valentine’s Day in 2007, says that make-up helps to boost her confidence
While interviewing her last October on her eponymous daytime show, Ms DeGeneres stopped to say: ‘You really are quite something.
‘There’s a depth to your soul that is not a 13-year-old soul.
‘You’re an old soul and you are very special and amazing, and I’m so honored that you wanted to meet me and that I got to meet you.’
Talia and Ms Chappa have called their clothing brand That Bald Chick, in reference to Talia’s hairless appearance.
Natural beauty: Talia was made an honorary face of CoverGirl last year
In one of her YouTube tutorials the 13-year-old explains that she doesn’t wear a wig because they make her feel ‘fake and ‘just not me’. Instead she uses make-up as a confidence booster.
Sadly, this beautiful person has gone to a more beautiful place.
