A sewing class at seven years old inspired a successful dressmaking business for senior Dyvne’ Lee. As much a marketing guru as she is an avid fashion designer, Lee designs, sews, and fits clients from her sewing room at home.
Isolation during the pandemic jump-started her interest.
“I somehow found a sewing machine. I was like, let me make something,” she said. “So I made a tapestry sweatshirt.”
She didn’t realize that a simple sweatshirt would arouse such appeal.
That moment was instrumental for Lee’s career.
“This is a place where I can have a future and make money,” she said.
Lee’s creations are appreciated by all sorts of people.
“My first project was for a customer’s eighteenth birthday,” she said. “She texted me just saying, ‘Hey, I’ve seen that you made your prom dress and I really loved it. I have so much faith in you and I believe you can make mine.’”
Realizing people trusted her designs made Lee appreciate the process even more.
“Wow, people will trust me to make their dresses and stuff for the amount of money that I charge?” she said.
Lee stresses that she is still learning and growing her skills.
“Say you want me to make [a dress] and I’ll make it for you. I’ll try my best to make it as close to how you want it and then put my own little twist on it,” she said.
With numerous internships under her belt, as well as managing her own Instagram, Lee is accustomed to the marketing and business side of fashion design.
“Fashion design is like basketball. It’s hard to succeed in it,” she said.
Despite some people doubting her, Lee is determined.
“Don’t let what everyone else says affect what you want to do,” she said. “If you know you want to do it, then do it. One of my other mottos is ‘you wear the clothes, the clothes don’t wear you,’” she said.
Lee hopes to go to college and perfect her craft. Long term, she plans to have her own studio with her own boutique. She has goals to collaborate with notable figures. “Maybe like a Michelle Obama? People that are well known but not necessarily celebrities. No social media celebrities,” she said.
