North Toronto teen's fashion career set for runway takeoff

At 15 years old, Emma Lewis knows what she wants — and sews it into reality.

The North Toronto teen wants to be a fashion designer. But rather than wait, she’s already creating her own clothing line with help from Sew Be It Girl Studio.

Lewis was selected to design a fashion collection from start to finish. The collection is composed of five elaborate pieces, including dresses and shirts, and is set for release in the coming months.

“It’s really exciting,” Lewis said at the Eglinton Ave. studio on a warm October afternoon. “I’d say that the sewing is my favourite part, but seeing the end product is really cool, too.”

Sew Be It Girl chose the teen as the first designer to showcase through its label. A runway show at last weekend’s Creativ Festival was the icing on the cake for the teen.

“Emma’s the whole package,” said Lindsey Wise, co-owner of Sew Be It Girl. “We wanted to put the spotlight on her because she’s got amazing skill and such maturity.”

The idea behind this project is to spotlight one student each year and launch a collection that will not only give the budding designer valuable experience in the fashion industry but attract Toronto’s fashion buyers, too.

“Emma’s creations have already gotten a lot of interest,” Wise said. “Women see her work in the window of the studio and come in off the street saying they need to have that dress.”

Lewis began her fashion career at the tender age of 10. Over the past five years, she’s learned how to sew, draft patterns and make her creative visions reality, all with the help of her teachers.

This prodigy’s hard work has resulted in an edgy collection, with bold details and fierce designs perfect for fashion-forward teens.

What began as a love for sewing and fashion magazines has developed into a talent that promises a very bright future, Wise said.

“There’s just something more with Emma,” she said. “And it’s been there from the beginning.”