It’s been some four months now since Guyana implemented a partial lockdown which saw the closure of schools across the country as well as a halt on all social events and gatherings to curb the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

For many, being confined to the walls of their homes for the last few months has awakened a new level of creativity.
This is the case of 19-year-old Seonnae Destinee Naughton, who has been ‘flipping’ some of her old clothes into fashionable summer pieces.
Dubbed the seamstress of her household, Naughton told the Buzz that at a very young age she found solitude in the art of fashion during a difficult time in her life.
“I was born and raised in the city of Georgetown by my mother who played the role of a single parent after my father walked out on my siblings and I when I was about three years old,”she said. “Growing up in a household with many other siblings, it has been challenging but my mom worked hard, making many sacrifices to ensure that we got what we needed and that we were all happy. Amidst all the challenges, at a very young age I found comfort in expressing myself through fashion.”
Naughton stated that she started making clothing for the dolls she would receive as Christmas presents and would often play around with any material she could find in the house to make an outfit.

“My expressive nature was always unique. I remember styling my sister’s hair with clothespins and making a skirt out of a kitchen curtain my mom took down during Christmas cleaning but these occasional urges grew into a personal passion. I was able to truly explore my gift and skills whenever my siblings had events. From prom dresses to Christmas costumes, I was dubbed the seamstress of my home,” she said.
Naughton, who is currently pursuing studies in Architecture at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) noted that she began exploring with her talents while at home during the pandemic.

“My mom went through her clothes and clothes that were sent for us from cousins and aunts living in the states- most of which were too small or too big,” she said.
Naughton admitted that given her introverted nature it took a while for her to share her talents with the rest of the world. She added that worrying that her artistry might not be good enough and the fear of negative criticism held her back for quite some time.
”

This all happened unexpectedly. I’ve been holding back on myself for quite some time knowing that I have a collection of talent and I’ve been letting the thought of what people might think or say determine how I would go about my life,” Naughton told the Buzz. “I prayed about it more times than I can count and I just decided to leave it to God. My family encouraged me time and time again to chase my dreams but something in me always made me doubt myself hence I never bothered to elevate myself.”
Nevertheless, the young woman noted that with time she eventually decided to share her pieces on social media with her friends and the rest of the world though still having doubts.

Positive feedback

However to her surprise the responses and messages she received were all positive ones that made her consider utilising her talents to becoming an entrepreneur.
“I was about to delete the posts I made. I checked my page and I was totally speechless. My stories received 1,000 views, so many reactions and words of encouragement. I was told to start a page, a business and persons were even offering to purchase my pieces,” she said. “I got absolutely no negative feedback and that alone instantly boosted my confidence. For me, it was simply amazing. I have thought about the idea of starting a business occasionally and due to the responses I secured, in future I do plan on following this up for it is one of my many passions.”

Naughton noted that in celebration of Emancipation this year, she recycled one of the original pieces she made into something fit for the season and the summer.
“Emancipation was around the corner and I thought to myself, why not celebrate the holiday quarantine style? It was quarantine that inspired my first piece. An African print hoodie that I made by hand from my high school prom dress.”

Skilled with her hands, Naughton noted that it takes her about a day or less to complete a project.
“Whenever I got a new idea, I sketch it out on a piece of paper, choose a suitable wear and convert it into what would be more likely to catch the eyes of the public. I’d stay in my room and on my bed, with my phone reading my book or watching a lifetime movie while sewing. It never took me longer than a day to come up with my end product and I know with the use of a sewing machine I’d be able to produce five times more than I can by hand. Sewing had always been a part of me.”

The young woman noted that a local seamstress had gifted her a sewing machine to pursue her talents, but after some time the machine stopped working and due to the lack of finances she was unable to repair it or purchase a new one, so until she can, she continues her work by hand.