Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarina Nicole Steed.
Sarina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been living in Houston, TX, for seven years by way of Tennessee, born and raised in Memphis, TN. I found my calling early in life, taking an interest designing clothes at ten years old and received my first sewing machine. I entered the city fashion contest and won over ten awards by 15. By age 15, I was making clothes and home accents such as drapes and furniture accents.
I after high school, I attended Tennessee State University and initially studying fashion design and merchandising. Within the program, I quickly learned I was ahead of the program on a technical standpoint and wanted to make better use of my education to learn different things. After taking a few interior design coarses, I changed my major to Interior Architecture, picking up a new skill and knowledge still centered around design. Within my program, I gained skills in interior and furniture design.
After college, I moved to Houston to find a job as an interior designer. Along the way to supplement my income, I worked as a seamstress on the side. I have always loved both interior and fashion equally and often struggled on which career I would take more seriously. I often heard “pick a skill and stick with it, perfect that.” The problem was I could never choose. After four years of indecisiveness, I made the decision to follow my heart and do exactly what I wanted to do and that was to design, period.
My dream is to become a successful designer in both industries, interior design and fashion design! I also would like to spread awareness to the black youth and push more minorities in the architecture industry. As of now, ” only 0.3 percent of “registered” architects and designers are Black women, according to architecture magazine Curbed.” For the past four years, I am often the only black person in the room in most meetings. I struggle with inclusiveness and being heard on the daily!
Creating independently is my outlet. Crafty Steed is my creative store, selling lifestyle items such as mask and surgical bonnets, embroidery service and home accents. My dream is for it to grow into a store similar to Hobby Lobby, servicing craft, lifestyle and design needs. As of today, I still work as an architectural and design liaison in corporate America and I manage both businesses. I just received my first editorial credit in Vogue Italia working with amazing Houston photographer Joanna Boothe and I am the athleisure designer for Olympian Gwen Berry for the upcoming 2021 Olympics.
Fashion Design @sarinanicolestyle, Interior Design @sarina.nicole, Store: @CraftySteed
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all, I am often the youngest, always the only black woman in most meetings. I struggle with inclusiveness and being heard on the daily! As of now, ” only 0.3 percent of “registered” architects and designers are Black women, according to architecture magazine Curbed.”
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Sarina Nicole is a design brand, reaching customers for both custom fashion and interior design needs. I specialize in apparel design and furniture construction. What sets me apart is I understand design on multiple facets. Understanding architecture gives me a stronger understanding in dimensions and measuring for pattern making. In order to design furniture or reupholster furniture, you have to sew.
Crafty Steed is my creative store, selling lifestyle items such as mask and surgical bonnets, embroidery service and home accents. My dream is for it to grow into a store similar to Hobby Lobby, servicing craft, lifestyle and design needs.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely Houston is booming in architecture and construction. There are always new opportunities and clients seeking counsel. I would never advise an aspiring designer to move to a city who has a low job growth percentile.
For someone who is just starting out, I would recommend getting active in design organizations, especially if the person is a minority. Our presence is small but you can be easily be remembered. For aspiring fashion designers to keep sewing, keep perfecting, success comes only from experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: craftysteed.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarinanicolestyle/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/sarina.nicole/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Vogue Image: Joanna Boothe
In home construction photos: Cierra Adams
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