Fashion - If You Have A Vision, Leisha Can Create It -Tailored Affects

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Leisha Rutledge’s business card says “Seamstress – Tailor – Dressmaker – Designer.” Fashion is her business and 60% of her work from the steppin’ community is growing! Leisha was born and raised in New York and has lived in Georgia for the past 29 years. She started steppin’ in a little more than two years ago with the Class Act Steppers in Atlanta, Georgia under the instruction of Juanita, Steve and Kenny. As she grew in her dance she had private instruction and classes with Andre Blackwell, Doc Ellis, Will Neal and Rhonda, and Ronnie Burnett. Leisha began sewing at 9 years old under the direction of her mother who is also a seamstress. She studied Fashion Design and Business in college and earned her Bachelors’s degree in those areas. Leisha has been sewing for 45+ years and enjoys the satisfaction of pleasing her clients with a unique and personal fit look.

Your business card says seamstress, tailor, dressmaker, designer. What does all that mean?

A seamstress is someone who sews. A tailor specializes in dealing with lines, details, and fit creating clothing such as suits. A dressmaker makes women’s clothing. A fashion designer plans the form, look, or workings of clothing. I have studied and practiced these areas and can offer services in them all. I love to do them all but specialize in tailoring because the FIT is an area that makes a look personalized for an individual.

Which do you love more – sewing or stepping?

I receive different satisfaction from them both and love them both. SEWING quietly mentally satisfies my creative desire where it’s just me and DANCING physically and mentally satisfies my creative desire with beautiful music where I can create a story with someone else.

In a world with so many name brand and clothing choices, why do you believe steppers want custom outfits?

Steppers pride uniqueness and don’t want to chance someone wearing the same outfit. Custom should FIT like a glove and decreases the chance of any look-a-likes. Just as a stepper develops a unique style in dance his or her fashion style can also be unique.

How do you define fashion as it relates to a stepper?

Fashion gives you a glimpse of someone’s personality giving them a platform to express who they are. It should be an individual choice as such.

What is the busiest season for you to make clothing for steppers?

My busiest season is around annual signature events. Being based in Atlanta, preparing for the Heritage Ball in February. People reach out to me as early as October because I am booked at capacity quickly at this time of year. Other busy times are the winter holidays for stepper and non-stepper clients.

Which fashion trends do you think should just go away forever?

I can’t name one. Fashion repeats itself and is always evolving into something different. I say every trend is NOT for every BODY. Follow the trends that compliment your body type.

What makes you different from other stylists in the community?

My goals are to listen to the client and provide accurate input for their body type, quality service, and work. I will not take a job to create something I don’t feel is appropriate and will not represent the client in the best way possible. I am building a reputation for my work, and I take that very seriously!

What do you consider your most challenging request?

The most challenging requests are when dealing with appliqués and sheer fabrics because all that requires hand sewing which is very time-consuming.

Do you prefer making clothing for men or women?

Women because there are so many more style/fashion options. I can be flexible with my creativity, but the cost of fabric and labor to tailor men’s suits is much more than it is for women’s clothing. Not every client understands or is prepared to pay it.

What type of clothing do you love to make the most?

Simple in design but creative in fabric textures, color, and print/design mixtures. I like garments to fit so there is a little peek of the body frame but still leaves much to the imagination.

Which fashion trends do you love?

European cut suits for men with the body type to pull them off well, and a combination of retro, flirty, sexy, AND elegant for the women!

Styled by Leisha: Carolyn Robinson, Chanestia Davis Simmons, Natacha Davis, Tonya Hawkins Neal, Tracy Martin, Algia McNeil, Kazede Ajamu, Ivy Pittman. Alterations: Andre Blackwell, Will Neal, Michael Bennett, Joseph Rencher, JR Russell, Lisa Shaw, Laura Manning, Renee Alston