Today we’d like to introduce you to Taide Broadbelt.
Hi Taide, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story has been shaped by creativity, resilience, culture, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. I was born into a family where sewing wasn’t viewed as a hobby—it was part of survival, expression, and love. I grew up watching my mother sew and embroider on old-school foot-pedal machines in Panama, completely fascinated by the transformation of fabric into something meaningful. Long before I understood fashion as an industry, I understood the emotional power behind creating something with your hands.
That early exposure eventually led me to New York, where my professional journey in fashion truly began. One of the major turning points in my career was becoming part of The Ground Crew, founded by the legendary Audrey Smaltz. That experience opened doors into the world of high fashion, backstage production, tailoring, and live runway work. Through those opportunities, I worked behind the scenes with productions and brands connected to Victoria’s Secret, Tom Ford, Ferragamo, and others. It was intense, fast-paced, detail-driven work that taught me discipline, precision, and the importance of staying calm under pressure.
At the same time, I was developing another side of myself—the educator. I later became a Fashion Design & Construction teacher at the High School of Fashion Industries in New York and eventually served as Creative Director for the school’s Annual Senior Fashion Show. Teaching revealed something deeper to me: sewing wasn’t just about garments. It was about confidence, patience, identity, and giving people a creative outlet to express themselves.
Today, all of those experiences have come together through Sew Eco Studio, my sewing and fashion studio in Miami. The studio blends fashion education, sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. I teach sewing classes and workshops for children, teens, adults, homeschool groups, and beginners while also designing small-quantity, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect my heritage and artistic perspective.
I am Afro-Panamanian with Indigenous roots from Panama and Nicaragua, and I was raised within a strong Caribbean cultural environment influenced by my Jamaican ancestry. Those layers of culture deeply influence my work, especially my love for incorporating original molas handcrafted by Guna Yala women from Panama into garments, accessories, and home pieces. Supporting and preserving that artistry is incredibly important to me because fashion, to me, should carry meaning—not just trends.
Looking back, every chapter prepared me for the next: Panama gave me my roots, New York sharpened my skills, and Miami gave me the space to build something of my own. What started with watching my mother sew has evolved into a purpose-driven business centered on creativity, education, culture, and connection.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but I also don’t view challenges as tragedies. I see them as part of the refinement process. One of the biggest realities of building a creative business is learning how to balance vision with sustainability. Talent and passion are important, but so are visibility, marketing, consistency, and financial endurance—especially when you are building something independently and intentionally.
Opening and growing Sew Eco Studio has required a tremendous amount of faith, persistence, and adaptability. Like many creative entrepreneurs, there have been moments where funding, resources, and exposure did not immediately match the level of work being poured in behind the scenes. Building trust within a community also takes time. I’ve learned that people often observe quietly before fully committing. They want to experience consistency, authenticity, and quality over time before taking that step—and honestly, I respect that.
What has encouraged me most is that the response from students and families who do attend has been overwhelmingly positive. The referrals, reviews, repeat students, and genuine reactions to the studio experience remind me that the foundation is strong. I’m very confident in what I offer, both creatively and educationally. For me, the challenge has never been the quality of the work—it has been continuing to build visibility and reach in an increasingly fast-paced world where attention moves quickly.
At the same time, those challenges have strengthened me. They’ve forced me to become more resourceful, more intentional, and even more committed to creating something with depth and longevity rather than chasing quick success. I believe meaningful brands are built layer by layer, with consistency, integrity, and real connection—and that’s exactly how I’m building mine.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fashion designer, sewing educator, and creative entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of craftsmanship, culture, sustainability, and storytelling. Through Sew Eco Studio in Miami, I teach sewing and fashion design while also creating small-quantity, one-of-a-kind garments, accessories, and textile-based pieces that reflect both technical skill and cultural influence.
I specialize in construction-focused sewing education and wearable art rooted in intentional design. My background spans professional fashion production, tailoring, backstage runway work, and fashion education, which allows me to approach both teaching and design from a very hands-on, detail-oriented perspective. Whether I’m teaching a beginner how to confidently thread a machine or constructing a custom garment using original molas from Panama, the foundation is always the same: quality, patience, and purpose.
One thing I’m especially known for is my teaching style. I have a way of making people feel comfortable, capable, and creatively inspired—even if they’ve never sewn before. I don’t believe in intimidating people with fashion or technique. I believe in meeting people where they are, building confidence step by step, and helping them discover what they’re capable of creating with their own hands.
I’m also deeply proud of the cultural storytelling woven into my work. I am Afro-Panamanian with Indigenous roots from Panama and Nicaragua, and I was raised within a strong Caribbean environment influenced by my Jamaican ancestry. Those influences naturally appear throughout my designs and artistic direction. I especially love incorporating original molas handcrafted by Guna Yala women from Panama into modern garments and home pieces, helping preserve and spotlight an important artistic tradition through fashion.
At the same time, I find myself increasingly drawn toward learning more about my African roots and how they can further shape my creative voice. While I have always felt deeply connected to my Panamanian and Caribbean heritage, I’m also interested in exploring the African ancestry that exists beyond what I currently know. People have often told me I look Ghanaian, which has sparked curiosity and reflection for me over the years. As I continue learning more about my lineage and cultural history, I hope to thoughtfully incorporate more African textiles, influences, and storytelling into my work in a way that feels genuine, respectful, and connected to personal discovery.
What sets me apart is that my work is not only about aesthetics—it’s about connection. I care deeply about craftsmanship, but I care just as deeply about how people feel while learning, creating, and wearing what I make. In a world that often prioritizes speed and mass production, I intentionally move differently. My philosophy has always been “details over speed.” I want people to feel the care, story, and intention behind every stitch, every class, and every piece that comes out of Sew Eco Studio.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always drawn to creativity, beauty, and self-expression. Looking back now, I can see that fashion, art, and performance were already finding me at a very young age—even before I fully understood what those things could become professionally.
One of my earliest memories is from my very first fashion show in Pre-K in Panama. My mother made my outfit: a peach and cream dress with slightly sheer peach sleeves and a matching bolero jacket. I remember walking the runway so confidently and becoming completely caught up in the applause and encouragement from the audience. I was enjoying the moment so much that I kept walking back and forth on the stage until I finally heard my sister calling my name to come off. Even then, I loved the feeling of presentation, expression, and bringing something beautiful to life.
Another defining moment was discovering my ability to draw. My older brother used to help me with my art assignments, but one day he decided he didn’t want to anymore. I remember sitting in class having to draw a bird from observation. I took my time, focused on every detail, and carefully recreated what I saw. When I finished, I felt proud of it in a way I had never experienced before. I ran home after school to show my brother, and I still remember how impressed he looked. That moment gave me confidence in my own creativity and made me realize I was capable of more than I thought.
Sewing naturally followed through my mother, who taught me many of the foundational skills I still carry with me today. Between fashion, drawing, sewing, and presentation, the creative direction of my life was already quietly forming during childhood.
Personality-wise, I was observant, expressive, imaginative, and very detail-oriented. I’ve always loved making things feel complete and well done. Sloppiness has never appealed to me—not in presentation, construction, or effort. That mindset eventually evolved into my “Details Over Speed” philosophy, which now guides both my design work and the way I teach at Sew Eco Studio.
Even when teaching beginners, I encourage students to slow down, value the process, and take pride in what they create. I often tell them, “Presentation is everything,” especially when I see loose threads or rushed work. To me, craftsmanship is a form of respect—for yourself, your work, and the people experiencing it.
Growing up in Panama in a creative household shaped not only my artistic interests, but also my standards, discipline, and appreciation for quality. Those early experiences continue to influence how I design, how I teach, and how I move through the world today.
Pricing:
- Summer Sewing Camp (Ages 6–16) Mini Makers (Ages 6–9): Starting at $195 (3-day) / $300 weekly Fashion Builders (Ages 10–12): Starting at $225 (3-day) / $350 weekly Style Masters (Ages 13–16): Starting at $250 (3-day) / $385 weekly
- Kimono Jacket Bootcamp (Adults & Teens) 3-day immersive sewing experience — $495
- Sewing Skill Sampler Classes Beginner-friendly sewing classes starting at $60
- Homeschool Sewing Program (Step Up Approved Provider) Sewing instruction for homeschool students — starting at $75 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sewecostudio.square.site/
- Instagram: Instagram @sewecostudio
- Facebook: Facebook @sewecostudio
