AväntByAvant
Meet Tianna Avant
Design & Fashion
“Hey girl, your suits are so dope!
How did you get started?”
“Hey, my name is Tianna Avant and I’m the founder and owner of Avänt, Inc.
I’ve always had an interest in designing but I’ve never even touched a sewing machine until my freshman year of college. I just had the eye for it I guess. I majored in Fashion Design but during those 4 years of college I learned A LOT but the the thing I wanted to learn the most, they didn’t teach. Bespoke tailoring and suiting has always been my interest when it comes to designing so I taught myself while still applying some of what I’ve learned in school.
At a certain point, even though I was going to school for fashion, I felt like school was holding me back from doing what I truly want to do. It was hell trying to finish out those final semesters with that mindset. I finished school in Fall 2019 and launched Avänt, Inc. four months later. I was more than ready even though I was a little scared. Being scared never stopped me from going after what I wanted. It may have slowed me down, but it has never stopped me.
I think my fashion internship with a suit designer was even more helpful than school because I felt like I was really getting closer and closer to knowing everything I needed as far as “paying my dues” before jumping out there. School taught me the skill and my internship taught me the business. I’ve realized it was very very very important for me to learn more than just how to sew and design in the industry, I actually needed to learn the industry itself.
I would say the worst part about this entire journey is trying to stay mentally in tact. I fall apart at least 5 out of 7 days a week and some days are much easier than others. For me, my mind is my greatest enemy because those negative thoughts in your head and those negative comments from your closest family and friends never leave your mind. They are loud and they make you feel scared, nauseous, and doubtful 24/7 but the key isn’t to try and get rid of them because they’re already stuck there. You just have to continuously turn the volume down as many times as it takes and confidently speak positivity over yourself with your actual voice. I still have to do that every single day. The journey is hard but I have a vision for my future and the impact I’m going to leave has to be more than just a dream.”
