STATEMENT
As a couture fashion designer and textile artist, I am deeply interested in the transformative power of clothing as both object and narrative. My work positions garments as living canvases—spaces where structure, texture, and form become vehicles for storytelling, cultural memory, and identity.
Fashion, for me, extends beyond construction; it is a language through which histories are preserved and reinterpreted. Through hand-appliqué, layered textiles, and deliberate composition, I create wearable works that carry symbolic references to heritage, spirituality, and collective experience. Each garment is designed to move with the body, allowing art to exist not only as a static object, but as a dynamic presence in space.
My practice is rooted in meticulous craftsmanship and an ongoing exploration of diverse materials, color relationships, and surface design. Every piece is intentionally constructed with precision and care, reflecting a commitment to honoring both traditional textile techniques and contemporary artistic dialogue. Through these works, I aim to challenge conventional distinctions between fashion and fine art, positioning couture as a legitimate and powerful medium for cultural storytelling.
As a couture fashion designer and textile artist, I am deeply interested in the transformative power of clothing as both object and narrative. My work positions garments as living canvases—spaces where structure, texture, and form become vehicles for storytelling, cultural memory, and identity.
Fashion, for me, extends beyond construction; it is a language through which histories are preserved and reinterpreted. Through hand-appliqué, layered textiles, and deliberate composition, I create wearable works that carry symbolic references to heritage, spirituality, and collective experience. Each garment is designed to move with the body, allowing art to exist not only as a static object, but as a dynamic presence in space.
My practice is rooted in meticulous craftsmanship and an ongoing exploration of diverse materials, color relationships, and surface design. Every piece is intentionally constructed with precision and care, reflecting a commitment to honoring both traditional textile techniques and contemporary artistic dialogue. Through these works, I aim to challenge conventional distinctions between fashion and fine art, positioning couture as a legitimate and powerful medium for cultural storytelling.
BIO
In 2024, Harlem Renaissance Reverie marked Therez Fleetwood’s vibrant homage to the spirit and legacy of this pivotal era in African American history by celebrating the creativity and resilience of influential artists such as William H. Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, and Elizabeth Catlett.
With a foundation rooted in high fashion and global couture glamour, Therez is a distinguished fashion designer renowned for her impeccably crafted and thoughtfully curated women’s apparel.
Born in Boston, she began her design journey at the age of twelve, and by fifteen, sold her first dress on the iconic Newbury Street in the city’s exclusive Back Bay neighborhood. This early success set the stage for her move to New York, where she pursued her passion at The Fashion Institute of Technology while working as a production coordinator in the bustling garment district on 7th Avenue.
In her role as a production coordinator, Therez honed her expertise in garment construction, fit, and couture craftsmanship. Her career flourished as she ventured into designing Afrocentric attire under her PheZula Collection label, catering to boutique clientele in New York City, and requests came in to create custom designs for celebrities such as EnVogue, Vanessa Williams, and Queen Latifah.
While her global clientele extends to countries including Germany, Egypt, Italy, Tanzania, and Australia, Therez’s designs have appeared on daily and morning shows such as the Today Show, the Portia Show, and Good Day New York, as well as in national commercials for American Express. Her work has been featured in solo exhibits at the African Textile Museum in Atlanta, GA, the Kaplan Gallery in Bloomfield, NJ, the City Museum of New York and The Fashion Institute of Technology.
Her fashions have been included in several books, including Fairchild Publications’ Survey of Historic Costume (1st through 3rd editions), The Threads of Time, Fabric of History, Style Noir, and Jumping the Broom. Therez is also the recipient of the Allstate Insurance Company’s “From Whence We Came: African-American Women of Triumph” Award. Notably, she designed the only Afrocentric costumes ever worn by Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney World, which are now part of their themed costume collection.
BIO
In 2024, Harlem Renaissance Reverie marked Therez Fleetwood’s vibrant homage to the spirit and legacy of this pivotal era in African American history by celebrating the creativity and resilience of influential artists such as William H. Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, and Elizabeth Catlett.
With a foundation rooted in high fashion and global couture glamour, Therez is a distinguished fashion designer renowned for her impeccably crafted and thoughtfully curated women’s apparel.
Born in Boston, she began her design journey at the age of twelve, and by fifteen, sold her first dress on the iconic Newbury Street in the city’s exclusive Back Bay neighborhood. This early success set the stage for her move to New York, where she pursued her passion at The Fashion Institute of Technology while working as a production coordinator in the bustling garment district on 7th Avenue.
In her role as a production coordinator, Therez honed her expertise in garment construction, fit, and couture craftsmanship. Her career flourished as she ventured into designing Afrocentric attire under her PheZula Collection label, catering to boutique clientele in New York City, and requests came in to create custom designs for celebrities such as EnVogue, Vanessa Williams, and Queen Latifah.
While her global clientele extends to countries including Germany, Egypt, Italy, Tanzania, and Australia, Therez’s designs have appeared on daily and morning shows such as the Today Show, the Portia Show, and Good Day New York, as well as in national commercials for American Express. Her work has been featured in solo exhibits at the African Textile Museum in Atlanta, GA, the Kaplan Gallery in Bloomfield, NJ, the City Museum of New York and The Fashion Institute of Technology.
Her fashions have been included in several books, including Fairchild Publications’ Survey of Historic Costume (1st through 3rd editions), The Threads of Time, Fabric of History, Style Noir, and Jumping the Broom. Therez is also the recipient of the Allstate Insurance Company’s “From Whence We Came: African-American Women of Triumph” Award. Notably, she designed the only Afrocentric costumes ever worn by Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney World, which are now part of their themed costume collection.
CV
EMPOWER HER
Fulton County Arts & Culture, Atlanta GA
March - April 2026
BLACK JOY
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
January – March 2025
ARTIST TALK & EXHIBITION
African Textile Museum, Atlanta, GA
August 2024 – January 2025
THE SHOULDERS WE STAND UPON
The Scott H. Kaplan Art Gallery at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, Bloomfield, NJ
March – April 2024
BLACK STYLE NOW
Museum of the City, New York, NY
Sept 2006 – February 2007
NEW YORK GETS MARRIED: DRESSING FOR A SPECIAL DAY 1765-1997
Museum of the City, New York, NY
May - September 1997
TRIBUTE TO THE BLACK FASHION MUSEUM
Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY
April – May 1992
EVENTS
ART SHOW
Black Theatre Festival, Spelman College, Atlanta GA
August 2026
JUNETEENTH FUSION FEST
Pittsburgh, PA
June 2024
EMPOWER HER
Fulton County Arts & Culture, Atlanta GA
March - April 2026
BLACK JOY
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
January – March 2025
ARTIST TALK & EXHIBITION
African Textile Museum, Atlanta, GA
August 2024 – January 2025
THE SHOULDERS WE STAND UPON
The Scott H. Kaplan Art Gallery at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, Bloomfield, NJ
March – April 2024
BLACK STYLE NOW
Museum of the City, New York, NY
Sept 2006 – February 2007
NEW YORK GETS MARRIED: DRESSING FOR A SPECIAL DAY 1765-1997
Museum of the City, New York, NY
May - September 1997
TRIBUTE TO THE BLACK FASHION MUSEUM
Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY
April – May 1992
EVENTS
ART SHOW
Black Theatre Festival, Spelman College, Atlanta GA
August 2026
JUNETEENTH FUSION FEST
Pittsburgh, PA
June 2024