Meet Leah Humes | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leah Humes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
starting: In 2019 I was getting ready to graduate with my bachelors degree from Ferris State University. I was having a hard time trying to decide what kind of job I wanted after school. I always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, but there were very few options seeing as I was graduating with a Marketing degree and no experience in the fashion industry. I would be lying if I didn’t mention the frustration and confusion that came with that. I reached out to upcoming designers in my area, was willing to learn for no wage. I just wanted to have something on my resume that was fashion related. However, I received a lot of no’s and some didn’t ever respond. I believe that created a fire in me to keep going and start my own clothing brand. If no one was going to give me the opportunity, I had to create I.T for myself. In spring 2019 I dropped my first t-shirt design, the shirt was created for mental health awareness. I had to overcome the fear of starting small if I wanted to follow my dream. I sold that one shirt, in multiple colors for almost two year before I could start expanding my brand.

How did I not give up? I.T wasn’t easy, I had to go through the self doubt, fear, and the anxieties of failing. I soon learned that once I decided to become an entrepreneur I would experience moments of failure, but I took those as opportunities for growth. I knew that once one process wasn’t working for me, there was a new one to discover. I couldn’t give up knowing that. I believe my passion for fashion was worth the sacrifices.

Small wins: My first supporters, followers, inspiring friends and family, seeing small growth and being intention on celebrating that, getting my first heat press machine, creating a website & pop up shops.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have currently been in the fashion community for about 2 years. I literally started from the ground up. When I first started I started with no website, one shirt, and a very small audience. The only thing that got me through the small struggles was keeping the big picture in mind and trusting my vision.

I currently work a 9-5 job for a luxury streetwear company while running my business. Working with luxury street brands has allowed me to keep up with the latest fashion trends and learn what good quality products looks like,and feels like.

I enjoy doing both of them. After my 9-5 I go home to check on my orders, package them and work on content to post during the week. I’m enjoying the process and learning so much each day about my craft.  My biggest advice to the community is to believe in yourself relentlessly. The only person that can keep you going is yourself, so believe in you and practice your craft daily. You will eventually begin to see the results of your hard work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Kemah Boardwalk
The Galleria
Lost & Found

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my family and friends, business mentor and everyone who has supported the brand.

Website: www.lookbeyondapp.bigcartel.com

Instagram: @Lookbeyondapp

Facebook: Leah Humes

Email: Lookbeyondapp.bigcartel.com

Tiktok: @lookbeyond1