As she heads to class with her wired headphones in, East Sophomore Talah Hantush’s signature style clearly contrasts with the other students around her. Wearing a handmade black long-sleeve top lined with fur around the neck, flared jeans, and intricate silver jewelry, she is most definitely more dolled up than her peers on a week-day morning. But unlike some of her classmates, Hantush feels at peace with the way she dresses and expresses herself through her fashion.
After multiple failed attempts of searching tirelessly through her local mall for clothes that were appealing to her, she knew it was time for a different approach.
“I felt that the fashion industry is restricted by the need for money rather than actual fashion,” Hantush told Spark. “Trends and microtrends have made it very difficult for me to find clothing that I would truly enjoy wearing.”
It took a while for Hantush to find a style that accurately expresses her personality, but eventually she found the solution to her struggles: designing her own clothing.
Armed with her sewing machine and her creative vision and abilities, Hantush is able to craft pieces that she resonates with, incorporating various elements that she enjoys.
“Fashion trends, old and new, do influence my style although I almost always end up adding my own personal twist into what I wear,” said Hantush.
Hantush prefers elegant and feminine styles in order to give her clothes a timeless look, rather than conforming to microtrends circulating social media. She also enjoys finding inspiration in everyday things she sees.
“Sometimes it’s a shirt I pass by at the mall mixed with another shirt I find in a 13-year-old magazine. I take in the little ideas and I create something new that will fit my own tastes,” said Hantush.
She has crafted her design method through trial and error while exploring her hobby of fashion design. Using her materials at home to hand-make each piece, she begins with a mental concept.
“I draw it out. I figure out the measurements of the piece and I begin making my pattern on paper,” said Hantush. “I use my sewing machine to sew everything together and I use my mannequin to make sure the pieces fit well.”
Like many beginners, her sewing journey has been anything but seamless. Hantush has ran into obstacles, but she used them as learning experiences and taught herself that it is perfectly fine for handmade
clothes to look handmade.
“I was always focused on making the clothing appear luxurious and store-quality,” said Hantush, “but the little blemishes are what really makes a piece truly unique.”
Her love and passion for her style help Hantush express herself in a way that could never be restrained by just wearing clothes sold at the mall. “I think that fashion is integral for self-expression,” said Hantush.
Although she does not desire a career in the fashion industry, she plans to continue enjoying sewing and creating clothing for herself for the rest of her life. This allows for Hantush to express herself through her fashion authentically and for her visions of dainty tops to come to life, instead of being confined to just pieces found online or at large retailers.
“I feel like making clothing as a job can make the work feel impersonal to me,” said Hantush. “I want to make clothes without the pressure of satisfying others or following deadlines.”
Hantush urges other aspiring fashion designers to begin with small ideas and work up to larger projects, building necessary skills along the way. She also sends a reminder that every sewer begins as a beginner, and that imperfections help make a piece unique.
“It can be as simple as making adjustments to old pieces of clothing. It takes time and patience, but the product is almost always rewarding,” said Hantush.
Hantush pairs some of her homemade clothing with sweaters from Polo Ralph Lauren, Adidas shoes, Hollister, H&M, and hand-me-downs to encapsulate her old money and almost coquette aesthetic that has been recently popularized on social media.
Because of her couture hobby, Hantush feels confident as she strides through life and the halls of East in her handmade clothes instead of blending in with the crowd.•
