Financial Independence

One local college student is going viral for turning everyday items into trendy clothing.Collin Semien is a junior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, majoring in fashion and environmental systems.But he’s not just making any old pair of jeans or sweater. He’s putting a sustainable spin on them. “I just like to kind of voice it as magic,” Semien said, “When I was younger, I used to just want to make my clothes fit me better. So I started off with alterations so I would just make my pants. He brought his sewing machine with him to campus, sewing as a side hustle.”One of my friends was like, Hey, can you customize these shorts for me to a skirt? I did that, she wore it to homecoming,” he said.All of his designs are one of a kind. He upcycles everyday items to make unique, wearable art.Like a dress made out of ties, for a friend’s first day of school fit. Or a corset top made out of sneakers. “I was just trying to find different ways to make clothes out of things that you wouldn’t necessarily think clothes should be made out of. And I think that just makes it more cool, he said. Semien posted his creations on TikTok and quickly went viral, getting more than 100,000 views.”I’m not necessarily like a bold person. I like to be really chill. But if you know, you know. And its starting to seem like people know.He says his brand, “Semi-Stitched,” is now booked and busy.But as an environmental systems major, Semien says he has a greater responsibility.He says the fashion industry is already a top producer of waste, so as he makes a name for himself, he wants to change that.Respectfully, we have enough clothes already,” he said, “I have to figure out how to make more clothes that actually means something and last longer. That will actually bring an impact to what we wear every day.The junior says he aspires to not only work as a fashion designer but a sustainable brand coach for well-known and luxury brands.