Sharisse Scott-Rawlins, sophomore, is a design major here at Lasell College. In addition to being a full time student, she operates her own custom t-shirt design business, Sharisse’s Pieces, and manages to find time to play for the Lasell College Women’s Varsity Volleyball team. To celebrate and commerate such a busy year, some of her pieces will be showcased in the undergraduate fashion show on May 2 here at Lasell.
I recently sat down with Sharisse to find out how she got interested in design.
HC: What made you first start designing t-shirts?
SR: In my freshman year of high school, I was assigned a project on recycling. My teacher wanted us to be creative and not use a piece of poster board, so I made my project on a t-shirt. When I presented it to the class, everyone loved it, including my teacher. From there, I was asked to make t-shirts for people.
HC: What goes into the process of designing a t-shirt?
SR: When someone asks me to design a shirt for them, I try to get a feel for their style. I sketch out a few ideas for them and once one is picked I buy the supplies for the shirt and start making it. When people don’t know what they want is when I have to be creative and come up with ideas they might like.
HC: How many shirts have you designed so far and what do you usually make shirts for?
SR: I have made over 500 t-shirts for people. Mostly a wide variety of custom shirts, but I have also made a lot of shirts for volleyball teams I have been on in the past and Marathon Monday shirts as well.
HC: Has being a design major helped you at all in making t-shirts?
SR: Yes, it has helped me with sketching out ideas as well as designing other garments. I want to have my own boutique when I am older, selling a mix of designer and hand made clothes.
PH: (508) 521-0249
Email: Sharissesrawlins@yahoo.com
Instagram: Sharisses_Pieces