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Life & Work with Natasha Barrett of West Baltimore, Union Square

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Barrett.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Natasha Oneevia Cunningham Barrett Fashion Designer, Natasha Oneevia

I was born and raised in West Baltimore, and my love for fashion began at a very early age. As a young girl, I was captivated by the world of design while spending time with my uncle, Tyrone Fletcher, who lived a bold and unapologetic life. My aunt Diane, a talented seamstress, created gowns for a group called The Transparent Ladies—a collective of transgender women who performed and sang at local clubs and events.

I vividly remember attending their rehearsals, watching them prepare for their performances in the most glamorous gowns crafted by my aunt. One of my earliest and most striking memories is of a red sequined dress being made in our second-floor front room on Mosher Street. As my aunt and I listened to Diana Ross, we worked on some of the most beautiful gowns for The Transparent Ladies. Seeing those designs come to life and be worn with such pride and elegance ignited a passion in me that never faded.

Though I initially considered pursuing law, fashion had already taken hold of my heart. I decided to follow my true calling and enrolled at Baltimore City Community College, which had one of the best programs in apparel technology. During my time there, I learned from an incredible community of women from the DMV area, students who had studied abroad, and even professors who were graduates of FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology).

After earning my associate degree in apparel technology, I opened my first boutique on Charles Street. From there, I relocated to the historic Belvedere Hotel in downtown Baltimore. A few years later, I transitioned to a private showroom in West Baltimore, where I could offer an exclusive, tailored experience for my clients.

That journey led to the creation of HYVOLTAGE.

HYVOLTAGE is an energy. It is a frequency. It doesn’t need words—it’s a feeling, a force, an unspoken power. It was created for women who command attention without ever having to say a word.

The moment a woman steps into HYVOLTAGE, she feels it—an emotional connection that transforms how she sees herself. That instant confidence, that undeniable presence—that’s what I live for.

Fashion, to me, is more than just clothing. It’s about igniting confidence, celebrating individuality, and helping women embody their most powerful selves. HYVOLTAGE was created for the bold, the fearless, the unapologetic—the women who don’t just follow trends but set the tone. Dressing women who want to make a statement without uttering a word is the essence of my brand. It’s more than fashion; it’s a lifestyle.

HYENERGY. HYFREQUENCY. HYVOLTAGE!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No it hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey as an entrepreneur has been filled with challenges and adversities—many of which I still face today. When you set out to change the trajectory of your life and impact others along the way, the road is anything but easy. To some, the dream seems impossible. But when you’re as passionate as I am—when you truly believe in your purpose—you push forward, no matter the obstacles.

One of my biggest struggles was getting people to buy into my vision. I knew I had something powerful to offer, but convincing others to see what I saw wasn’t always easy. Another major challenge was not having a blueprint to follow—no one around me who could show me how to turn my passion into a sustainable business. I wasn’t raised with solid economic insight on how to take a dream and transform it into a reality. Learning how to bring the designs I saw in my head to life, while also building a business from the ground up, was something I had to figure out on my own.

Being an introvert also made networking more difficult for me. I’m naturally more extroverted around people I know, but putting myself out there, stepping into unfamiliar spaces, and adjusting to the digital era—where so much of a brand’s success depends on visibility—was a struggle. Sharing pieces of my life and showcasing the lifestyle of my brand in a way that could truly impact people required a level of openness that didn’t come naturally. I had to push myself beyond my comfort zone because I’ve learned that relationships are the most valuable currency in business. Without strong connections, growth becomes stagnant, and I experienced that firsthand.

Despite the struggles, I’ve always trusted that God gave me these natural talents for a reason—to help people solve problems, to create beauty, and to build something meaningful that not only supports my family but also empowers future generations. Every challenge has been a lesson, and every obstacle has only made me more determined to succeed.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am Natasha Oneevia, a fashion designer and founder of HYVOLTAGE, a brand specializing in custom evening wear and special occasion garments. HYVOLTAGE is an empowering brand of glamorous, sultry, classy, and feminine clothing, designed to embrace the bodies of women who admire and desire timeless, innovative garments.

For me, fashion is more than just fabric—it’s wearable, functional art that expresses a woman’s style, point of view, and way of life at its highest current. Through my designs, I tell stories that convey fantasy, elegance, and lifestyle, always with a concentrated focus on the well-dressed global woman who speaks volumes without saying a word.

I specialize in creating one-of-a-kind, made-to-measure pieces that celebrate feminine power through sleek silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and intricate details. My designs incorporate color, prints, patterns, textures, and exotic materials, fused together to create body-conscious clothing that enhances curvature. Clients can expect sophisticated silhouettes, manipulated waistlines, and masterful craftsmanship—all designed to make them feel confident and unforgettable.

In addition to creating intricate custom gowns, I also offer a collection of luxurious fur coats and accessories that can be tailored in a variety of textures, and color combinations. Each piece is designed to be a statement of elegance and individuality, allowing my clients to express their style with the highest level of craftsmanship.

I am known for my ability to capture a woman’s essence in fabric. My clients, whom I call goddesses, trust me to create garments that make them feel their most elegant, confident, and powerful. Shopping for special occasions can be frustrating—ill-fitting dresses, generic designs, and the fear of someone else wearing the same outfit. My work solves these issues by offering a fully customized experience, ensuring each piece is unique, tailored, and reflective of my client’s individuality.

What sets me apart is my dedication to craftsmanship, my understanding of the female form, and my ability to translate emotion into fashion. HYVOLTAGE isn’t just about clothing—it’s an energy, a frequency, a transformation. It’s for the woman who doesn’t just follow trends but defines them.

Since 2006, I have had the honor of dressing women for some of the most important moments of their lives, creating pieces that are not just worn but experienced. Through my work, I celebrate feminine opulence and individuality, allowing my clients to step into their most confident, elevated selves.

HYENERGY! HYFREQUENCY! HYVOLTAGE!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is witnessing the transformation in my clients when they step into their finished gown for the first time. It’s not just about the dress—it’s about the energy shift, the way they elevate into their most confident, radiant selves. I see them embody the HYVOLTAGE experience, tapping into a version of themselves that is bold, powerful, and unstoppable.

The real joy comes after the event, when I receive those calls and messages filled with excitement, gratitude, and pure emotion. Hearing them say how breathtaking they felt, how they commanded the room without saying a word, how the night was unforgettable—that is what fuels me.

Fashion isn’t just about the external; it’s about aligning the inside and outside to create an unshakable presence. When my clients feel their most beautiful, when they see themselves as they were always meant to be, that’s my purpose fulfilled. That’s HYENERGY! HYFREQUENCY! HYVOLTAGE!

Pricing:

  • consultation is required, as pricing varies for each individual piece based on the level of detail, fabric selection, craftsmanship, and labor involved.”

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