In what world should art be bound by rules? Or in the fashion realm, why should we be bound by threads? The most joy from fashion is derived from the freedom to choose, wear, or even create. Within the past decade, designers across the globe have been able to execute their creative ideas through re-working clothes, which has been an excellent way to keep fashion sustainable while also offering endless possibilities for garments. If you live in or around Toronto and have not seen the work of Natalya Amres, can you even be sure you know about re-worked fashion?!
Based in Toronto, Canada, Natalya Amres is a designer who has been sewing for almost a decade and has launched her self-made brand, Remixed by Tal (now called The Altered Label) since 2018. Natalya is a prime example of cultivating your passions; in a past interview, when asked about what inspired her to pursue making clothes, she responds, “I’ve always loved making things as a hobby and it kind of organically turned into a business when I started posting my work on Instagram. I got really good feedback on my designs, so I just kept nurturing that path and until it grew into a business”.
When it comes to re-purposed clothes, Natalya knows how to capture the eyes of fashion lovers while also being environmentally conscious. Her work can be recognized by clean-cut repurposed garments and accessories like handbags made from un-wearable items like tennis balls or basketballs, and even sneakers! Although her archive is ever growing, one of her most innovative pieces was her pink basketball corset, made from a Wilson basketball, which has gathered almost 3 million views on TikTok! On her instagram, you can also see her other incredible pieces like cropped Carhartt and Dickie’s jackets, re-worked denim jeans and skirts, and patchwork teddy bears. Not to mention, she has had her work worn by notable figures like the hip-hop group, Migos, and players from the Toronto Raptors like Chris Boucher and Gary Trent Jr. It is clear that Natalya is one with creativity when it comes to her craft, she has expressed her long-term goals in the fashion industry which focuses on environmental sustainability: “I'd love to eventually launch a self-sustaining line of products that is fully environmentally conscious and true to my brand and personality”. Natalya also does many collaborations and says that over 50% of her work is collaborative: “It’s a great way to get more exposure and experience working with other brands”.
Some of her most recent collabs include Footlocker Toronto, where she was given the opportunity to sell her work in retail stores; when asked about the steps it took to reach this big accomplishment, Natalya responds, “I’ve worked with the Footlocker team on many smaller scale workshops in the past, so I think developing a good relationship with them over the years is what led me to this collaboration”. Another collaboration includes her work with theScore Bet, where she repurposed numerous pre-owned jerseys and turned them into a patchwork logo mural for the company; the mural stands at 7.5 x 4 feet, and she claims it is her largest patchwork piece.
Of course, all of this work deserves some rest and personal time as well, so how does Natalya operate day-to-day? She tells, “If it's a workday I usually start working right after my morning coffee because I love having the benefits of natural light. And I’ll work throughout the day and usually will incorporate a workout or run to keep mentally alert. But with such an ambiguous job my days and schedule constantly change which keeps it fun and interesting!” As stated, Natalya is an avid runner and has also expressed how important physical fitness is to her: “I’ve been running 2-3 times a week and it has helped tremendously with my focus and clarity”. Not to mention, with such a busy schedule, it is crucial to stay organized, Natalya’s solution?
Google calendar and post-it notes! However, she also notes, “When it gets really crazy I’ll have to write the daily to-do list for the next day and check it off as I go”. Aside from designing and sewing throughout the week, Natalya has also been recognized for her hard work and creativity which has led her to be featured for Hershey Canada’s HERforSHE campaign, for International Women’s Day back in March 2022; this campaign featured 5 Canadian women across Canada and gave them their own individual wrapper for their chocolate bars!
It is safe to say that when it comes to defining freedom with fashion, Natalya Amres has grabbed the definition by its reins. Her work showcases her creative innovation and how re-working clothes has infinite possibilities; that ill-fitting jacket you thrifted doesn’t have to limit your wardrobe, consider remixing it into brand new jacket, or purse, or even a dress! Aside from the creative liberty that repurposing clothes has to offer, it is also a great way to take a step forward in sustainable fashion. With the increasing negative effects of fast fashion, using second-hand clothes to create new garments is a step in the right direction to combat this environmental issue, so consider creating your own remix
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