Alumni
DEBUT Graduate Leetal Platt Featured in WWD Video About Mask-Making Project in New York City
Advanced Fashion Design Graduate Leetal Platt, who showed her “Suspend/Support” at DEBUT in 2015, is currently based in New York City where she works as a freelance seamstress and designer. She was recently spotlighted in a Women’s Wear Daily video because of her involvement with fashion software company N.A.bld, which allows her to make masks from her home studio.
In the video, entitled “How Fashion’s At-Home Workforce Fights Coronavirus,” Leetal said: “It was fascinating to me, when this crisis first started, that it seemed the item most in need was actually an apparel item; it was a soft goods item, which meant that it would require sewing.” She discussed the challenges of making sterile medical equipment like masks and gowns, but feels grateful she’s able to help.
“It was really unfortunate to think that I would have these [sewing] machines and this access but wouldn’t be able to help the city because I wasn’t a 500-person factory,” she added. “I still wanted to participate. So in a sense it is a gig. It’s not just that I get to help the community, but I also have a job.”
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, Leetal was featured as the Fashion Designer of the Day on the nationally syndicated Tamron Hall Show, where she chatted about her path from filmmaker to fashion designer. The talk show host highlighted three looks from Leetal’s “Garden Party” collection and wore a bouclé cinched suit by the FIDM Graduate during the February 4, 2020 episode.
Learn more about Leetal at leetalplatt.com and on Instagram @leetal_weapon.
Categories: Advanced Fashion Design Alumni
