MADE ON ISLAND
by Sharisse
Unique Clothes That Celebrate the Individual
By Abby Remer, Photography by Sofiia Wiley
Sharisse Scott-Rawlins is a genuine visionary, fashioning hand-made one-of-a-kind designs for all shapes and sizes that sparkle with bold imagination.
It all began in 2010, quite by happenstance, when she was a sophomore in high school. Sharisse recalls, “I had a project for my environmental studies class, and my teacher wanted us to do something outside of the box. I designed a hand-painted T-shirt about recycling and wore it to school to support the message.” Another teacher saw it and commissioned Sharisse to hand-paint over a dozen shirts for her friend’s bachelorette party. “The mother of the bride loved them so much, she ordered 30 more for the wait staff at the reception.”
“My passion for fashion was always there, but I never set out with the intention of becoming an entrepreneur–it just happened naturally and felt meant to be. Studying fashion design and production as an undergrad allowed me to develop the skills to sew and handcraft pieces from scratch, moving beyond simply buying items and altering them.”
One semester, Sharisse studied at the London College of Fashion. “That was one of the best experiences in my life because I realized there really is a market for the one-of-a-kindness of my brand, which isn’t something I saw around me when I was growing up.”
Sharisse’s distinct handmade designs feature bold color combinations that mix solids and striking patterns in unique cuts. Each flattering garment catches your eye, encouraging you to discover its distinctive quality.
Every item is a work of art that begins with a consultation. “I start the process by seeing what someone’s style is and trying to sketch out ideas that would be flattering for them.” When it comes to materials, Sharisse sends the client samples so they can see and feel them. Once the design is finalized, she creates the prototype, makes revisions after fittings, and then completes the outfit.
Sharisse also produces fashion shows where people can order items right off the runway. “It’s a fun experience for the guests because they get first dibs on anything I’m showing. If it’s not in their size, I will make it slightly different. Something will always be a little bit different, even if it’s not necessarily noticeable to the eye.”
With the demand for off-the-rack choices, Sharisse now creates small collections but makes only two or so for each size of an item. “Once they run out, that’s the end until I make another collection that’s slightly different.”
The heart of Sharisse’s brand is always to celebrate every shape and size. “It is important to me to accept a client no matter what size, height, or ethnicity they are. I want to make everybody feel special.”
For more info check out: bysharisse.com, www.instagram.com/bysharisse/?hl=en