Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharisse Scott-Rawlins.
Hi Sharisse, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
bySharisse was born my sophomore year at Brockton High School in 2010. I was assigned a project in my environmental science class to create a non-conventional presentation of our topics. My assigned topic was Recycling and I decided to make a hand-painted t-shirt for my presentation. The day we were scheduled to present, I wore my hand-painted shirt to school for the entire day. When I attended one of my other classes, the professor pulled me aside and asked if I could take orders for my shirts. She ended up hiring me to make 30 hand-painted shirts for her best friend’s bachelorette party. The shirts for the party were such a success that the mother of the bride hired me to make 30 more for the wait staff to wear at the wedding reception. This was the start of bySharisse. Not only did my teacher like what she saw, I started getting order inquiries from sports teams, after-school clubs, birthday parties, fundraisers, etc.
From making hand-painted t-shirts, sweatpants, hoodies, etc. in high school, my journey continued to college as I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design and Production. Learning how to construct everything from day to evening wear, womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, along with the production aspect. Graduating from Lasell University at the top of my class and was chosen by my department for the prestigious Book Award; an award/recognition for demonstrating the highest quality in my graduating class. While attending undergrad I did a semester abroad at London College of Fashion in London England, graduating at the top of my class there as well.
Since 2010 my custom fashion design business has created 700+ custom pieces to date. Since 2010 I have been single-handedly optimizing the businesses supply chain for materials and managing its finances while running day-to-day operations, including consultations, sketching, pattern drafting, fittings and sewing. I have also strategically planned, managed, marketed and executed dozens of fashion shows, collections, photoshoots, video shoots, pop-up shops, open markets, documentaries, and collaborations; collectively.
In 2020 I graduated with my MBA from Howard University and founded an Entrepreneurship club/center while I was there. After running my business for so long with just first-hand experience, I wanted to have the educational MBA experience as well to increase the ultimate success of my business. In October of 2022, I decided to take a leap of faith and expand my brand/business to Atlanta Georgia to continue growing and striving to achieve my brand’s highest potential. It took a lot of trial and error, strategic planning, and most importantly faith in myself to achieve my dreams thus far.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle I have faced was having a large tumour growing in my throat my senior year of college. As I was enduring the most difficult year of college; creating my senior capstone collection, taking masters level courses, and all the while not feeling at the top of my game but not knowing what was wrong was the first part of the challenge. I visited multiple doctors and specialists trying to solve what was wrong and they all chalked it up to stress. It wasn’t until after I graduated and revisited with an even more elevated concern for them to see the urgency of my symptoms. I was officially diagnosed with Aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the spring of 2016 and had to fight for my life.
While undergoing treatments, I continued to run my business and even had my first wedding dress order. During this time I also created and showcased multiple new collections, along with taking an ample amount of orders. I truly believe designing and my passion for what I do is what kept me going and helped me beat cancer. Although it has not been easy running my business since 2010, it has been a smooth ride in the sense of my passion to create, always uplifting me through my darkest times. Designing has always been the shoulder I had to lean on, the voice of my soul.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
bySharisse is a custom fashion design and production brand/business. When it comes to custom orders, it is a very personalized experience. Clients work one on one with the designer to bring their desired garments to life. From sketches to pattern drafting to prototypes and fittings, the process is tailor-made to ensure that clients feel special as they get their one-of-a-kind pieces made. bySharisse does have some ready-to-sell pieces that are sold upon availability. I am known for my attention to detail. I am very meticulous about my work and it is my mission to be able to celebrate every shape and size and bring out the confidence and individuality of each client. I am also known for my eye-catching prints and patterns that I source from Africa.
I am most proud of being able to bring people together and creating an atmosphere of black excellence through my designs. bySharisse is dedicated to diversity and equality. With everything going on in the world I am proud to be able to uplift my community, provide an unapologetic space for us to thrive and hold our heads up high as the Kings and Queens that we are.
In addition to creating, I am also a visionary. Not only do I create these beautiful designs but I bring it all together with music, hair and makeup, accessories, and a complete visual. When people are watching my shows, I want them to transcend into an alternative universe of black excellence. Using my platform to create a positive, powerful impact in the world we live in today is what sets me apart from the rest as well. I love to use my journey and testimony to inspire others.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned is that the journey is a necessary one. We must grow through the situations we go through in order to achieve our highest selves, everything is necessary, it is all connected in some shape, way, or form. I use this ideology when I am looking at my journey as a designer and even when I am looking at my work. Maya Angelou once said, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” Similarly to life, the creative process can be a difficult one, but going through those drafts and alterations, or even going back to the drawing board altogether, is the process that helps us truly bring our visions alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: bysharisse.com
- Instagram: @bysharisse
- Youtube: @bysharisse
- Other: TikTok: @bysharisse
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Kevin A Photography Additional Photos: Image 1 (2 models with crowns): Peter Graves Photography Image 2 (3 models, snow): K Fresh Photography Image 3 (2 models on stage): Boston Medical Center Catwalk for Cancer Image 4 (4 models, hand paint on designs): Raha Photography Image 5 (designer): Alexis Weaver Photography Image 6 (full collection with flags in hand): Alexis Weaver Photography Image 7 (Howard Hoodies): bySharisse Image 8 (silent protest): K Fresh Photography Image 9 (3 models, black backdrop): Kevridgemms Image 10 (5 models, yellow backdrop): Kevin A Photography Image 11 (7 models, yellow head-wraps): bySharisse Image 12 (8 models in evening wear): T. Horak Photography Image 13 (2 models): Anica Banica Photography
