Stay “Tru” to You

Stay “Tru” to You

How fashion design became a pathway to self-expression for Hannah Schevers.

Hannah Schevers’ love for fashion began as a form of personal empowerment.

“Growing up with a facial difference and visual impairment, I couldn’t always control what I looked like, but at least I could wear something that made me feel comfortable in my own skin,” Hannah says. “I always wanted to go into fashion design to be able to give people that same feeling.”

The Fashion Design program’s focus on both creative and business has been transformative. Her co-op work term at Cathy Allan Ladieswear in Lindsay, Ontario, further enriched her understanding of the industry, particularly the intricate relationship between designers and retailers.

Beyond academics, Hannah has numerous projects on the go. She recently released preorders for a collection of mesh clothing for her brand called Undefined Fashions.

She also worked with her sister Emilee to create a custom dress for a personality contest Emilee was entering. “It was a really good experience because I know these are a lot of the same skills I’m going to be using in my final year, doing fittings and working to make clothes for others,” Hannah says.

In 2018, Hannah co - founded Tru Faces with Emilee—a social initiative aimed at connecting young people with similar disabilities. “We wanted to give people who were living in similar situations a place where they could connect and share their experiences,” Hannah says. “We’ve had lots of accomplishments with Tru Faces. We’ve featured over 200 people on our Instagram page, we’ve created an advocacy apparel line and have an ambassador program.”

“Our motto is ‘stay tru to you’ because we want everyone to be themselves and not be afraid to be who they are.”