ISAIC from the Perspective of a FISP Graduate

Progressive & Approachable, ISAIC in a nutshell 

Denitra is a Detroit-based businesswoman who runs an Image Consulting company that offers wardrobe styling, personal shopping, and color analysis. She graduated from ISAIC’s last cohort of 2022, Cohort 10, in the Fundamentals of Industrial Sewing and Production (FISP) program. 

She was aware of ISAIC for several years before taking the plunge after a battle with cancer. In her own words, “I gained a new outlook on life about not putting things off to do the things I want to do. … It pushed me to explore things I always wanted to do.” Although she never touched a sewing machine nor was familiar with sewing material, she decided to enroll in the FISP program at ISAIC in order to gain exposure and skills. 

She soon found the program “useful and beneficial” because there were a lot of resources such as costing workshops, business plan workshops and the mentorship by ISAIC’s training team.  

Thanks to the program, she wants to go further and extend her value proposition beyond the clothes.  She wants to add new offerings to her business, like home goods. During FISP, she began a wardrobe capsule project using scrap material to create coaster sets, which was positively received by her social media followers. Being inspired by her own homeowner journey, Denitra is excited to continue iterating her design until it is ready to be commercialized. She plans to keep coming to ISAIC during the open studio to work on her items. 

Sustainability in fashion is a shared value with ISAIC that Denitra believes in and keeps promoting across her entrepreneurial endeavors. She says, “I have been working with other sustainable brands, encouraging retail thrifting, upcycling things you currently have in your closet. …I believe that Detroit is known for our fashion, people think they have to spend a lot or do a lot to look good. I encourage more creativity and using what you have versus consuming more.” 

Denitra encourages everyone who is interested to participate in the FISP program. She finds that the program is designed for all, whatever your experience in sewing, or in the fashion industry.