Conversations with Rea Sylvester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rea Sylvester

Rea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where I had attended Winton woods high school. I graduated in 2014 and made the wonderful decision to attend Tennessee State University. I went on to receive my Bachelors Degree in Art/Fashion Design in spring 2018. However while I was still attending TSU I had made the bold decision to start my business, RecREAtions Designs, in August 2017. I started my business by offering alterations services to my peers on campus that quickly grew to many people throughout the Nashville area. In 2018, for my senior project I designed my first collection that had 7 full custom looks of women’s clothing. I absolutely fell in love! It was so empowering to be able to create something from scratch and have it come to life in a artistic way! Since then I have grown my business into a full Custom design and tailoring business! From working with Stylist J. Bolin , Gospel Artist Erica Campbell, Musical Artist Latto, and 2023 Grammy Nominee Jessy Wilson I have truly been blessed to share my talents with so many incredible people across the fashion industry and within my community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I definitely don’t think a smooth road really exist for any entrepreneur. As I have grown within the fashion industry I have quickly learned that this is an expensive career to build. Due to me not having the full access to all the funds I dreamed of and always feeling like I was behind most for the time because I sadly was comparing myself to others. Also dealing with many days/nights of being physically burnt out from working a full-time job on top of trying to build my business all by myself. Is has been very hard most days! However this is “My road” and I have to walk it out in good faith and trust that God does have something in store for me during the process and at the end. I have no other choice! This is the only life I will live so I am trying my best to enjoy it while I can now.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Fashion Designer and Tailor. I specialize in designing custom special occasion clothing for women such as: Prom dresses, wedding gowns, bridesmaids dress, birthday outfits, and many more. I also offer tailoring and customizable alterations to men’s and women’s clothing such as: suits, vest, coats, jackets and many more. I am known for my fashion design and sewing ability, providing amazing fits to my clients that come in all different shapes and sizes, and also my customer service skills of being very honest with my clients for their needs and what I can do to make them feel like their best self in the garments they wear. I am really proud of my alterations/tailoring skills because that has really grown my business and set me apart from most because their are not many young black women doing tailoring at the level I am doing it at. I have learned to put my pride and shame aside so I can use my full ability to make the future I want for myself and stop being sad about it not going in the way I would want it to go. Simply understanding that God’s way IS better than our way!

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think my most important qualities about myself that has helped my success is my confidence, honesty, and my passion for what I do. Yes I am good at what I do and the point of running a business is to make money. However I am in the business of servicing people through fashion and I feel it is more humbling and healthy for me to look at my business that way. I have grown a lot and made amazing connections through my career that most of my clients have been coming back to me and referring people to me for years now. I treat everyone the same with love, care and respect that’s what keeps the heart of the business going

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/recreations_designs?igsh=d2FscmZ2Yn4dGZn&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rea.sylvester.98?
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rea-sylvester-543b9a186
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@recreationsdesigns?_t=ZT-8uwlxspSynD&_r=1