A Decade in Theater
In the fifth grade, I saved up my allowance money to buy a Janome sewing machine. I was captivated by fashion and the different identities I could create for my dolls. Growing up performing in community theatre led me to pursue a BA in acting, but I quickly realized that I felt most myself in the costume shop. There, I could help others metamorphose into the roles they played onstage, and my deep respect for the transformative power of clothing has allowed me to build a successful career as a tailor for Broadway, television, and film over the last decade.
Gender Affirming Tailoring
My time in the costume industry has instilled in me a set of principles that directly challenge the discriminatory and impersonal narratives promoted by many in the fashion industry. There is an inherent vulnerability in wearing clothing, and a level of compassion required in a tailor-client relationship. Contrary to what mainstream media shows us, clothes should fit the body, not the other way around. As a non-binary lesbian, I see the challenges my community faces in finding quality garments, and I envision a future where individuals feel confident and comfortable in clothing that both reflects their gender expression and flatters their shape.
A Family Affair
When my great-great-grandfather, Jacob Scherline, immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in the late 19th century, he founded a small tailoring business in Utica, New York. He used his work to fulfill his dream of a better life for his family, and my grandfather has passed down stories of his fierce bravery to me. These stories are part of what inspires my ethos of using challenges as a source of innovation. They further my dream of creating an ecologically sustainable, ethically sound small business that fills a void for queer people in the fashion space.