From Unemployed to Fashion Powerhouse: How One Woman Stitched Her Way to Success!

COVID-19 spurred a seismic shift for Juanairis Revis, who witnessed a world crumble around her as a property manager and then found herself drifting in unemployment doldrums. Bored and longing for purpose, she stumbled upon a life-transforming 15-week program offered by Custom Collaborative. This isn't just any program; it’s a powerhouse course in the heart of the Garment District, teaching women like Revis to conquer the world of fashion and business.

Founded by Ngozi Okaro, who dared to challenge the status quo of mainstream fashion, the nonprofit seeks to empower women through the art of clothesmaking and entrepreneurship. Okaro, a trailblazer frustrated by the exploitative whims of the fashion industry, dreamt of a revolution where women not only design but thrive financially.

The mission? To turn dreams into reality. Think you can't be a fashion mogul? Think again! Veronica Jones, the program’s entrepreneurship coach, makes it her duty to demystify the complex world of fashion business. She insists, "They don't graduate if they can't make a business plan." With numbers backing their triumphs, 97% of graduates have sharpened their financial savvy, and a remarkable 83% have started their own ventures!

Imagine this: On a brisk December evening, a vibrant graduation fashion show set the stage for Custom Collaborative's latest graduates, who stunned the audience with dazzling creations. Revis, in a breathtaking white mermaid dress, epitomized this transformative journey. Each piece was a testament to creativity and sustainable fashion, crafted from fabrics saved from landfills.

Witness the power of transformation as participants, once unable to thread a needle, now bear the tools to redefine fashion for the better. With ambitions to launch her sustainable label, Revis feels, "I’m so different from who I was before."

Are you ready to flip the script on fashion? Dive into the world of boundless possibilities at Custom Collaborative here and discover how you, too, can create a fashion revolution.