Tell me about you: where are you from, how old are you?
Newly 24 and born in Washington, DC, I’m an emerging fashion designer and the fashion world is coming to know me as Syreeta C.
What do you do?
I’m a translator. I often work with the metaphor: the wearer as the messenger and fashion as the medium, for we all have a story to be told. Fashion (and even the lack thereof) tells an individual's unique story - where you're from, where you're going... your culture, your ideals, who YOU are. Fashion has the ability to break barriers - language and otherwise - and communicate more accurately than the most colorful of words. From this, my catchphrase “speak sans speech” was born.
It’s my job as a designer to help the wearer express and relay his or her own unique messages for the world to see. With a focus on edgy, yet sophisticated womenswear, I love designing with contrast – simple lines meet texture and elegance marries quirks.
When did you know that Fashion was something you were passionate about?
As a child, I was equally academic and creative. I grew up with goals of being a doctor. Coincidentally, I was regularly reprimanded for slicing and dicing my own clothing to create new styles for my dolls. (I’d proclaim that I was bored with the styles already… even if I’d only worn it a time or two.) I went to high school on a science and technology scholarship, but attended Syracuse University’s Summer College For High School Student’s program in fashion design after my junior year. It was probably then that I had the “lightbulb moment,” realizing that my passion had been working it’s way to the surface all along. Slicing and dicing and creating was what I was destined to do. I was accepted into Syracuse University’s Fashion Design BFA program the following year.
What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
As a graduating senior at Syracuse, my senior collection was presented before a jury to determine selection for the university’s annual Visual and Performing Arts College Gala in New York City. Only the top collections are chosen and I was proud to be one of them. One of the reasons that this shines as one of my brightest accomplishments is because of my challenge to myself when creating my senior collection. I had illustrated an all-black collection among others to consider for my final collection. I initially set this collection aside automatically, deeming it “too hard” because usually color is the gateway to creating interest in clothing. After further thought, I decided that if I could pull off placement as a top collection without the use of color, then it’d be a great milestone as a designer and person. This moment will always be a reminder to myself to morph challenge into motivation and creativity.
Life quote: If there was one quote that summed up your view on life what would it be?
“Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.” – Tupac Shakur
How can we stay connected with you?
Follow me! I’m friendly!
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