Today we’d like to introduce you to Syreeta C.
Hi Syreeta, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Self-expression. That’s how this story began for me, it’s the driving force in its continuation, and I hope that it’s also the legacy left when it ends. We all have a unique perspective on life and this is my way of empowering people and promoting positive self-esteem and efficacy. From my vantage point, fashion is a language: it communicates many things about its wearer with the unique ability to do so without words. We all use it daily and I’m inspired by its adaptability and power.
The young girl who used to cut apart her clothes for the sake of individuality and doll attire (yet imagined herself becoming a doctor) grew into a young woman who pursued a BFA in Fashion Design. She now specializes in custom garment design and operates as a medium for others to use their own style as a vehicle for authenticity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe most journeys involve roads unplanned. There is an invaluable beauty and wisdom in the yields and re-routes. Generally speaking. as a Black female creative entrepreneur, I’m mapping a journey rather blindly. There was no precedent for this in my immediate friend/family circle when I began and as I gain more peers, we are still learning together. It’s been trial and error not only streamlining my process and client engagement but also balancing the design and non-creative aspects of business.
Additionally, personal obstacles have vied for their say in this story. I suffered sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss for the second time in my life on Christmas Eve 2016. It offered a renewed perspective on health, gratitude, and the core values that I function with in life — professionally, personally, and all in between.
You can label certain experiences as struggles if you like, however, I am a strong believer that life is cumulative. Coincidentally, the creative process and life process have a lot of parallels. In my personal experience, they have functioned in unison to re-envision how I assess and take on challenge and unexpected happenings. Each moment passed is an opportunity to explore and learn about yourself and the world around you. I am not a subscriber to toxic positivity — all emotions have their role and right. There can be a takeaway from almost any and everything if you’re open to acknowledge and receive.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a fashion designer specializing in custom womenswear and tailoring (women’s & men’s). I am more than a seamstress. Not only do I possess formal training in design, but I take pride in my skill for being a resource for others in being their most authentic selves. Many seamstresses offer a specific scope of garment types or there are designers that may not have the same level of pride in the craftsmanship aspect of their work.
I truly love what I do. I don’t do it for esteem. I’ve held a passion for it before I even knew how to construe it. My driving forces will always be empowerment and how wearers truly feel in their garments. I work with the hope of inflecting confidence and happiness into lives. Inspiration for genuine expression (in a world that sometimes makes this difficult) is the goal. Fashion is simply the medium.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Ironically, when it comes to internet-based media, I digest mostly non-fashion-related topics. I do enjoy Instagram for its ability to curate a specific energy on your feed. I only follow accounts that make me feel good and it’s a mix of art/design, philosophy, and meme accounts. I will shout out StyleLikeU & AllHerWords as mainstay favorites. I also love following peers, as they’re a direct and true inspiration for me.
Reading materials feature a heavy rotation of James Baldwin, bell hooks, Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, and such legendary voices. One of my favorite recents is “Just As I Am,” Cicely Tyson’s memoir.
Podcasts and such involve a heavy dose of true crime & documentaries. Ha! Can we agree that a strong departure from the work that consumes your life every day is often the best aid? I will always claim that this not only feeds my general interest in psychology but keeps me work and views grounded.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: syreetacfashion.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/syreetacfashion
- Facebook: facebook.com/syreetacfashion
- Twitter: twitter.com/syreetacfashion
Image Credits
Maleshia Jones
