As she heads to class, Lakota East junior Talah Hantush’s signature style clearly contrasts with those of other students. Wearing a handmade navy-blue, long-sleeve top with fur around the neck, she is most definitely more dolled up than her peers on a weekday morning. Unlike some of her classmates, Hantush feels at peace with the way she dresses and expresses herself through fashion. After multiple failed attempts of searching through her local mall for clothes that were appealing, she knew it was time for a different approach.
“I feel that the fashion industry is restricted by the need for money rather than actual fashion,” Hantush says. “Trends and microtrends have made it very difficult for me to find clothing that I truly enjoy wearing.”
It took a while for Hantush to find a style that accurately expresses her personality, but she eventually found the solution: designing her own clothing. Armed with her sewing machine, creative vision and abilities, Hantush crafts pieces that resonate with her, 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,” says Hantush.
Hantush prefers elegant and feminine styles that give her clothes a timeless look rather than conforming to microtrends, which become popular and then fade quickly. She finds inspiration in everyday things.
“Sometimes [I take an idea from] a shirt I pass by at the mall mixed with another shirt I find in a 13-year-old magazine,” Hantush says. “I take in the little ideas and I create something new that will fit my own tastes.”
Hantush has developed a design method of trial and error.
“I draw it out, figure out the measurements of the piece and begin making my pattern on paper,” says 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 run into obstacles, but she uses them as learning experiences and has 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,” she says, “but the little blemishes are what really make a piece truly unique.”
Although she does not desire a career in the fashion industry, Hantush plans to continue creating clothing to express herself authentically.
“I feel like making clothing as a job can make the work feel impersonal to me,” says Hantush. “I want to make clothes without the pressure of satisfying others or following deadlines.”
Hantush urges others who are passionate about fashion to begin with small ideas and work up to larger projects by building necessary skills along the way.
“It can be as simple as making adjustments to old pieces of clothing,” she says. “It takes time and patience, but the product is almost always rewarding.”
Not all of Hantush’s clothing is handcrafted. She pairs her homemade clothing with sweaters from Ralph Lauren, shoes from Adidas and pieces from Brandy Melville that encapsulate her old money and coquette aesthetic.
Hantush’s couture hobby allows her to feel confident as she strides through life and the halls of East in her handmade clothes instead of blending in with the crowd.
Reprinted with permission from Lakota East Spark. Julia Viviano is the Culture Editor of the award-winning, student-run publication. Subscriptions are available online. LakotaEastSparkOnline.com/2024-25-issue-4/
Special thanks to Coterie Lounge & Cafe for hosting the photoshoot.
CoterieCafe.com | 8870 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester