AMERICA'S FINEST SEWERS & DESIGNERS
Everyone starts somewhere, and a lot of hard work comes with the territory. But what's next? We met up with some inspiring customers to hear their stories.
Watch their videos or read their interviews to learn what keeps them motivated and driven to offer top-notch craftsmanship.
MILLIE HIIBEL / OPERA PHILADELPHIA
Millie is the costume director for Opera Philadelphia and oversees teams of drapers and stitchers who design the outfits for the productions. The draping team consists of the draper/pattern maker, first hand/stitcher and often an additional stitcher. Teams are anywhere from a two to four-person team and sometimes more.
WATCH THE VIDEO
THE GILIBERTO FAMILY / GILIBERTO DESIGNS
The Giliberto’s are only 1 of 3 men’s suit manufacturers left in NYC. They meticulously oversee all of the details and are heavily involved in Broadway costuming and the entertainment industry. They have worked on over 150 shows over the last 15 years.
READ THEIR STORY
Khavya Khandavalli / School of Fashion Design, Boston
Khavya is from India where she started her collection of silk and embroidered fabrics and where her desire to be a designer started. She moved to Boston and attends the School of Fashion Design where she learns technique and has the opportunity to work on special projects for local museums and other organizations
WATCH THE VIDEO
Dana Katz and Gosha Gregory / Miltons – The Store For Men
Dana’s grandfather and father started a small specialty store in 1947 and Gosha, a third-generation tailor, joined in 2000. Together they work with their customers to achieve the perfect fit. They are excited about the technological advancement of fabrics being developed that focus on comfort and lifestyle.
WATCH THE VIDEO
VICTORIA AVILES / BRIDGE CLEANERS & TAILORS
Victoria’s favorite part of the tailoring business is to be able to transform something that does not fit into something that is done to perfection. A customer who is happy with how they feel and how they look is her reward.
WATCH THE VIDEO
BILL MITCHELL / BILLIAM JEANS
Bill had amassed a waiting list of 400 people while making jeans in his parents’ basement. At their current pace, they have a two-week turnaround – they fit the customer, allow them to select materials and begin producing the product.
READ HIS STORY
THE NASSERBAKHT FAMILY / THE HOP
This family has been making custom shirts for over 100 years and growing up in a tailor shop provided a respect for well made things. They have survived by making traditional dress shirts but incorporating more casual shirts geared towards the younger generation.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Carmen Bucco / Bucco Couture
Carmen saw the need to be accessible to his clients. That innovation led to him purchasing a vehicle and creating a men’s store on wheels. This venture not only sells suits and shirts but accessories as well to a 100-mile radius.
WATCH THE VIDEO
John Kristiansen / John Kristiansen New York, Inc.
John runs a custom costume shop serving the entertainment industry. He takes pride on being willing to try new things, take risks and find innovative approaches to building costumes.
READ HIS STORY
Ben Sidden / Alteration Specialists
Ben grew up in a family of dressmakers and tailors. He has honed his craft, and now focuses on being a people person – to take care of them the best way he knows how so that they feel right at home. Always around a sewing machine, he keeps pushing himself to be the best at what he does.
READ HIS STORY
Unshattered
Kelly left her career in IT to found the non-profit, Unshattered, which creates employment for women who are winning their battle against addiction. Bags and accessories are handcrafted from repurposed materials. Your purchase ends the relapse cycle by providing pathways toward sustained sobriety and economic independence.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Nick Duvall / Duvall Leatherwork
In 2005, Nick founded Duvall Leatherwork from the basement of his house after realizing that his college degree and profession didn't align with his passions. After 14 and a half years, he now employs 7 people and operates a 4,000 sq. ft. workshop complete with retail area.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Melinda Ladyzinski / ELIZABETH JOHNS
Elizabeth Johns opened in 2012 after Melinda saw first-hand that there was a void to fill when she was shopping for her daughter's wedding dress. Their bridal stores located in NJ and PA offer unforgettable experiences to brides and their families. As a result, over 80% of their customers are referrals.
WATCH THE VIDEO
ILYA FATAKOV / AREL STUDIO
In the last few years, Arel Studio has expanded from being a theatrical company to a go-to for movies and films. Their loyal customers come back to them year after year thanks to their ability to react and adjust to an ever-changing industry.
WATCH THE VIDEO
DAVID BURDICK / BALTIMORE CENTER STAGE COSTUME SHOP
David Burdick, Costume Director at Baltimore Center Stage Costume Shop, has done every job in the shop at one time or another, from stitching to draping, dyeing, craftwork, millinery and working backstage as a dresser. His advice to the next generation of designers? "Have a foundation in construction and fit... The more you know, the more successful your designs will be realized."
WATCH THE VIDEO
ABIGAIL ASANTE / DEVINE SEWING & FABRICS
It took Abigail Asante, Owner and Head Tailor at Devine Sewing & Fabrics, awhile to find her passion for sewing. "My husband bought me my first sewing machine over 30 years ago, and it sat there for about 8 years before I ever used it... I would buy clothes from the thrift store, take them apart and try to put them back together. It helped me become the seamstress I am today."
WATCH THE VIDEO
LOUISE HEISEY / SEAMWORKS
Louise founded Seamworks in 2006, after many years working in theater sewing costumes and draperies. She considers herself a fabric engineer. Many of the projects Seamworks undertakes are industrial, and incorporate heavy webbing and hardware for backstage and technical use.
WATCH THE VIDEO
VONGIE NEWMAN / SEW MORE COUTURE
We asked Vongie Newman what makes her business, Sew More Couture, different than others. She said that she's been told by clients that it's how personable they are. By taking the time to listen, and be brutally honest, their clients get what they want and look good, too. Another thing that sets them apart, "We take on projects no one wants to do."
WATCH THE VIDEO
NICHOLAS SCIALDONE / SALL-STEARNS
Nicholas Scialdone of Sall-Stearns has been training, doing apprenticeships, and working as a tailor for 66 years. He is most proud of his work and the appreciation shown to him by his many returning customers. His advice, "Listen to your customer and be willing to do what is best."
READ HIS STORY
ANNA RICCI / CHARBEL'S TUXEDO
Anna started learning tailoring from her cousin a dressmaker in Italy. She would go there after school and learn how to make skirts, dresses, and other garments. Eventually she came to the US where she started working at Charbel's. She cares greatly for her customers and works hard to do what she can for them.
READ HER STORY
ANNE SKOCH / ANNE CATE
Anne learned how to sew from her mother when she was a kid. She got her first sewing machine at thirteen years old and immediately started selling some of her creations on Etsy. As a sophomore in college she transformed her Etsy shop into a Made-in-America accessories boutique she called, “Anne Cate”. All her products are handmade in Cleveland, OH.
READ HER STORY
Yvonne Marie Benjamin / The Magic Needle
Yvonne became interested in designing after her dad gave her a challenge at seven years old, telling her, "You can have whatever clothes you want as long as you make them." She serves clients of all varieties including design, government and corporate clients. She believes in working hard and listening to the voice of experience. "Constructive criticism is not bad!"
READ HER STORY
Michele Blanchard / MB Design Gallery
Michele made her first prom gown for my oldest sister at age 12. That was her true start. MB Design Gallery began with the creation of actress Nicole Ari Parker’s 2010 Emmy Gown. Michele's advice – "Stay focused. Take in as much knowledge as you can from all sources available. Be willing to learn. Be willing to go the extra mile."
READ HER STORY
Jennifer Moore / Sewing Report
Jennifer had just moved to Atlanta to work at CNN in 2013 and was looking for a meaningful hobby. She bought a vintage Singer 201-2 on eBay, but it sat in bubble wrap for six months until her husband started using it and taught her sewing machine basics. She started the Sewing Report blog and YouTube channel. At first, she posted sewing vlogs and sharing finished makes - then ventured into more in-depth tutorials and sewing machine guides. She says, "Even though I’m working for myself and theoretically don’t have to do anything, I often work every single day for 10-12 hours. That’s what it takes to accomplish my goals. You have to be a self-starter with discipline in my situation."
READ HER STORY
Shae Haning / Tallgrass Tailor
Shae worked with her father as a kid in his welding shop. As she got older, she transitioned from seaming metal to seaming fabric. After receiving a degree in Fashion Design, she began a 13 year career as head tailor and founder of Tallgrass Tailor. Her shop takes on a variety of projects including college mascot suits, aircraft cargo nets, Muong burial garments, all-weather blankets for newborn cows as well as more traditional projects like hemming pants or bridal gowns. She says, "to be successful, you've got to stay in the game, because it's going to take longer than you think."
Read Her Story
Whitney Luckenbill / TomKat Stitchery
Whitney taught herself to sew in 2006 when she couldn't find a gender neutral baby bedding for her soon to be newborn twins. After working as an apprentice to a dressmaker and later in a custom/bridal sewing workroom, she started her own custom sewing and alterations business in 2014. Four years later she created a sewing YouTube channel called TomKat Stitchery. It has since taken off and his her primary business. "The best advice I can give to the next generation is to just do the hard project. Don’t be afraid to cut into the fancy fabric or tackle the advanced sewing pattern. Mistakes will be your best teacher so learn to embrace your seam ripper."
Read Her Story
Rucht D'Oleo Schwartz / The Fashion Institute of South Florida
As a child, Rucht D'Oleo Schwartz loved playing with, designing and sewing fabrics. When she finished high school she enrolled in fashion school. Some time after she started a clothing line in Miami, FL. After some years of finding it difficult to get well-trained help, she decided to open a school to train anyone interested in learning the technical area of the industry. This became the Fashion Institute of South Florida located in North Miami, FL.
Read Her Story
George Tsaftarides / George's Fashion And Tailoring
George grew up in a village in Greece in the 1940’s and 50’s at which time there was a war. During the summers he worked on his family's farm and to keep busy during the winters, he went to tailor school and became an apprentice. He began tailoring school at the age of 14 and has been involved in the industry for 66 years. After coming from Greece at 19, he began work with several different tailors before opening up his own business. Recently George has added social media, a website and even a TikTok channel to his endeavors. He says, "one thing I am very proud of with my store is the strong and lasting relationships I have had the opportunity to build with my customers over the years. My customers are like family as they have seen my kids grow over the years and I theirs."
Read His Story
Ali Eagen / Made By Anatomy
After attending FIT, she designed for a corporate fashion brand for a few years. She now works with brides to create custom wedding gowns, reconstructed wedding gowns and creative solutions. Ali's background in fashion design allows her to see potential where other tailors cannot. This means that a lot of women who are looking for something truly unique, complicated or reconstructed come to work with her. Her advice to young aspiring sewists and designers is to, "find your niche and do it better than anyone around you."
Read Her Story
Margaret Garland / Sewfabulous Sewing School
Margaret started sewing when she was 9 years old. As she grew older, she continued to learn in jr. high (middle school). She really wanted to be a fashion designer, so Margaret went to school to learn all that she could. She eventually went from being a fashion designer to working with sculptured dolls and then soon after, teaching how to sew. "My advice to upcoming designers is to step out on faith, work hard. Look for mentors, take classes, do internships and read books. Whatever it takes to be whatever you want to be. Just do it!"
Read Her Story
AUSTIN STUBBS / WHISKEY STITCHED DENIM CO.
Austin Stubbs grew up around sewing. His mother and grandmother were both seamstresses. In 2017 he created his first pair of jeans and from then on has embarked on a journey to learn on his own everything he can about tailoring and pattern making. After getting laid-off from a job working as a field rep for an outdoor gear company, Austin decided to start a business involving sewing. 3 years later here he is building clothes from denim, specifically jeans. His advice to young designers; "As designers we need to lean into creativity not just for our craft, but to find joy and meaning in our work and our lives. Never give up on that, and continue to challenge yourself and chase that feeling".
READ HIS STORY
SHARE YOUR STORY
Are you one of America's Finest Sewers & Designers? Would you like to be one of our featured customer profiles? Let us know a little about yourself. We would love to hear from you!
CONTACT US