Today we’d like to introduce you to Krissy Huffman Carter.
Hi Krissy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew I wanted to be an artist when I was six years old.
My grandmother was a talented quilter and knitter, and while my brothers played with toys or watched television, I sat beside her, fascinated as she stitched. One day she looked at me watching her work, smiled, and said, “Come here. I’m going to teach you something.” She handed me a needle and yarn and showed me how to sew a simple stitch. That small lesson became the first stitch in a lifelong journey.
Born and raised in Detroit, creativity was always at the center of my life. While many kids spent weekends at the mall or the movies, I spent mine taking art classes at the College for Creative Studies. It was there that I discovered fashion illustration, and I was immediately hooked. I filled sketchbook after sketchbook with pencil drawings and watercolor fashion illustrations (still my favorite medium today).
My passion led my parents to enroll me in the Detroit Neighborhood Arts Workshops, where I met local fashion designer Dana Keaton. She taught fashion design and sewing on a machine, and by the end of the program she offered me my first internship with her brand. That experience confirmed what I already felt deep down: I wasn’t just going to be an artist, I was going to become a fashion designer.
After graduating high school, I left Michigan to attend the Illinois Institute of Art–Chicago. During college I discovered my passion for children’s wear and designed a collection called London Street Kids, inspired by the iconic 1960s photography of Richard Avedon and the bold style of Twiggy and the Beatles. The centerpiece was a mod-inspired raincoat featuring a bold color-blocked shell, invisible zippers hidden in the seams, and a custom designed lining with a tall bearskin hat like the guards outside of Buckingham Palace wear. The collection received Best in Show at the student exhibition, was displayed in the Merchandise Mart, and was featured at Midwest Fashion Week and Black Fashion Week Chicago. Those accomplishments opened doors to internships with Lola Minx and Stylemax in Chicago, and after graduation I pursued opportunities with children’s brands in New York. Although the path wasn’t as straightforward as I’d hoped, every experience helped shape me as a designer.
Eventually I returned home to Michigan and joined the Runway Fashion Incubator in Lansing, where I worked alongside the founders of Soft Goods and Bad Latitude. During that time I met Karen Buscemi, founder of Detroit Garment Group and owner of Detroit Sewn. Becoming part of the Detroit Garment Group community connected me with an incredible network of designers who continue to inspire me today.
I accepted my first post-college industry position at Detroit Sewn as a production sewer. Over time I advanced to sample maker and pattern marker before eventually becoming Pre-Production Manager. That experience taught me the realities of domestic manufacturing and gave me a deep appreciation for every stage of garment production.
My next chapter brought me to The Henry Ford Museum, where I created and sewed historical garments for the costume department. One of my favorite projects was designing elaborate wigs for the museum’s Halloween programming, including a towering Bride of Frankenstein wig built around a custom thermoplastic structure. At the same time, I began creating custom garments for private clients, expanding my skills beyond historical costuming.
Later, I joined Studyus Monday, a modest fashion brand, where I eventually became a partner in helping grow the business. There I led the development of the company’s first school uniform collection for Muslim girls, overseeing every stage of the process, from concept sketches and patternmaking to tech packs, grading, samples, and production. I learned the TUKAcad patternmaking system and developed a much deeper understanding of technical design and garment fit. Seeing the collection adopted by multiple Muslim schools was one of the most rewarding moments of my career.
While working at Studyus Monday, I was introduced to the fashion department at the College for Creative Studies and accepted a position as an adjunct professor. It was a full circle moment, I even taught alongside my mentor Dana. I currently teach fashion 101, as well as Technical Design. Teaching has become one of the most fulfilling parts of my career, especially working with beginning designers and helping them discover their own creative voices.
Around the same time, I began teaching sewing workshops and sharing my work on social media. Building a community around sewing education has become another passion of mine.
Last year brought one of my biggest personal challenges. I underwent surgery to remove 20 fibroids, and the recovery required two months away from work. Although it was an incredibly difficult period, it also became an unexpected turning point.
During my recovery, my supervisor at CCS encouraged me to apply for a Technical Designer contract position at Carhartt. I interviewed, was offered the role, and continue to work there today.
That same period also led me to D’Artillery, a women-owned sewing studio that trains and employs immigrant women. After taking one of their entrepreneurship programs, I joined the organization as a sewing instructor. Being able to teach while supporting an organization whose mission I deeply believe in has been especially meaningful.
Today I wear many hats. I contract as a technical designer for women’s at Carhartt, teach fashion and technical design at the College for Creative Studies, teach sewing workshops at D’Artillery, occasionally assist the costume department at The Henry Ford Museum, create custom garments for private clients, and continue building my own creative practice. Also did I mention I was married!
Every step of my journey, from learning my first stitch with my grandmother to designing collections, teaching students, and working in technical design, has reinforced one belief: fashion is more than clothing. It’s craftsmanship, storytelling, problem-solving, and community. I’m grateful that every role I’ve held has allowed me to continue learning, creating, and helping others discover the joy of making.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all! But I wouldn’t change it.
Like many people in creative careers, my path has been anything but linear. I’ve had incredible opportunities alongside moments of uncertainty, career pivots, financial challenges, and projects that didn’t go as planned. After college, I worked retail while trying to break into the fashion industry before eventually finding my way back to Michigan. Every role I’ve had, from production sewing and historical costuming to technical design, teaching, and product development, has taught me something valuable and prepared me for the next opportunity.
One of my biggest challenges came last year when I underwent surgery to remove 20 fibroids. The recovery was long, and I had to step away from work for two months. At the time it felt like a major setback, but it ultimately became a turning point. During my recovery I was encouraged to apply for a technical designer role at Carhartt, and I also connected with D’Artillery, where I now teach sewing workshops. Those opportunities reminded me that sometimes the hardest seasons can open doors you never expected.
I’ve learned that success isn’t about having a perfect path, it’s about staying curious, continuing to learn, and saying yes to opportunities that help you grow. Every challenge has made me a stronger designer, educator, and maker, and I’m grateful for where the journey has taken me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I describe myself as a fashion designer, technical designer, educator, and maker. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in nearly every stage of the apparel industry, from concept development and fashion illustration to patternmaking, sample development, technical design, production, manufacturing, and education. That broad range of experience has given me a unique perspective on how great products are created, and it’s something I bring to every project I work on.
While I began my career designing children’s wear, my work has expanded into historical costume, modest fashion, product development, and technical apparel. Today I work as a Technical Designer at Carhartt, teach Fashion and Technical Design at the College for Creative Studies, lead sewing workshops at D’Artillery, and continue to create custom garments for private clients. Whether I’m fitting a garment, developing technical packages, or helping a beginner thread their first sewing machine, my goal is always the same: to combine creativity with craftsmanship.
What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has on other people. Designing clothing is incredibly rewarding, but watching students gain confidence, helping aspiring sewists develop new skills, or seeing a product I’ve developed become part of someone’s everyday life is just as fulfilling. I love sharing knowledge because I believe great craftsmanship grows stronger when it’s passed on.
I think what sets me apart is that I understand fashion from both the creative and technical sides. I can dream up an idea, sketch it, draft the pattern, sew the sample, solve production challenges, write the technical specifications, and teach someone else how to do it. I believe beautiful design and excellent construction should always go hand in hand.
Above all, I’m passionate about preserving the art of making. In a world where so much is mass-produced and fast-paced, I want people to appreciate the skill, intention, and craftsmanship behind every garment. Whether I’m designing, teaching, or sewing, my mission is to inspire others to create with confidence and purpose.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s one thing I’d like people to take away from my story, it’s that there isn’t just one path to success in fashion. Every experience I’ve had, whether sewing in production, building technical packages, designing collections, creating historical costumes, or teaching a beginner how to sew, has made me a better designer. No skill is ever wasted!
I also hope people see that fashion is about so much more than trends. It’s craftsmanship, problem-solving, history, and community. My grandmother taught me my first stitch when I was six years old, and today I have the privilege of passing those skills on to the next generation of makers. That’s something I’ll always be proud of.
As I continue my career, my goal is simple: to keep creating, keep learning, and keep teaching. If I can inspire someone else to pick up a needle, pursue a creative career, or believe in their own potential, then I’ve done something meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://krissyhcarter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krissykangaroo/
- Other: https://www.dartillery.org/learn/sewing-classes
