Rhode Island’s fashion scene bridges international culture and New England charm. Bringing world-class tailoring techniques, resourceful craftsmanship, and creative collaboration to the smallest state, visionaries are redesigning coastal fashion from a regional look into an evolving canvas where global heritage meets local creativity.

For Cathy Burgess, the designer behind the Burgess Collection, fashion is about defining a lifestyle, rather than chasing fleeting trends. Burgess captures the fundamental nature of modern luxury through a blend of European sensibility and classic Newport elegance. Her design philosophy is centered around timeless tailoring and detailed craftsmanship, creating garments that feel like strolling the streets of Paris while
simultaneously relaxing along the New England shoreline. Every piece is specifically designed to transition across climates and occasions,
resulting in versatile and effortless pieces. “True luxury isn’t about adding more,” notes Burgess. A perfect example is the Gwen Dress, a bestseller featuring a slightly shifted waist seam and hidden pockets to create a long, flattering silhouette. Utilizing premium, breathable fabrics, the entire collection effortlessly balances polished structure with daily comfort, Burgess has built a recognizable brand – and a devoted following. TheBurgessCollection

East Providence-based designer and RISD apparel professor Maha Barsom views fashion as an intimate dialogue with the earth. Her journey began early on with her father’s cotton plantation in Syria, watching her grandmother transform discarded fabrics into meticulously woven carpets. Today, that deep foundation of respect for raw materials has shaped her revolutionary approach. Maha has designed a zero-waste, made-to-order collection constructed entirely from recycled fabric remnants. Having trained in Paris under legendary fashion houses like Dior, Chanel, and Saint Laurent, Barsom takes the elite structural techniques of haute couture and applies them to modern street-fashion silhouettes. She approaches each design like a sculptor, refusing to allow size restrictions to dictate her work. She pieces together irregular scraps to create entirely new fabrics, ensuring no two garments are ever identical. With the uproar in fast-fashion, Barsom’s hand-stitched demi-couture pieces offer consumers a deliberate luxury, reimagining modern fashion with “wearable art worth waiting for.” MahaBarsom.com

Founder and executive producer of Rhode Island Fashion Week, Yemi Sekoni is redefining regional fashion from Cranston. “For me, fashion has never existed in a vacuum,” Sekoni says. Behind each collection of pieces is an ecosystem of photographers, stylists, jewelers, and visual artists. Sekoni has actively championed this interconnected industry through her collaborative platform, Fashion Fête. Rather than adhering to the traditional exclusivity of trade shows, Sekoni merges high-end runways with interactive marketplaces, proving local artists don’t need to flee to major hubs to gain recognition in their craft. “Rhode Island doesn’t need to become New York,” Sekoni begins. “It needs to become the best version of Rhode Island.” Her ideology centers on intentional representation, supporting emerging and marginalized voices while inspiring creators to “treat your creativity like a business from day one.” FashionWeekRI.com

Tailor Made

Fit, balance, and quality are hallmarks of a bespoke fashion studio and showroom

Not far from the malls of Warwick, yet worlds away quality-wise is the light-filled slow-fashion showroom and studio of Tatyana Ayriyan. Inside you’ll find pieces that Ayriyan has created from scratch – from outerwear to formal wear – each garment revealing intricate details often taken for granted, like the stitching around a button hole, the tufting on a jacket. Along with expert tailoring and alterations, Ayriyan offers custom work: clothing designed and made just for you. It all begins with a visit to T Ayriyan for a consultation about everything from fabric to colors to accentuating the positive. Next are measurements followed by a few visits for fittings, and clients receive styling guidance to help complete their looks. “My work is rooted in creating thoughtfully designed pieces that reflect a woman’s individuality while offering timeless silhouettes and refined tailoring,” says the designer who launched her business in 2018 and had a shop in Newport prior to relocating to Bald Hill Road. “From bridal gowns to special occasion looks, each piece is designed with attention to detail, fit, and the individuality of the client.” Warwick, TAyriyan.com –Elyse Major