We recently connected with Nicole Hinchman and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
My creative side started at a young age, my first Barbie! I just hadn’t realized that the hours I put into dressing, styling and accessorizing would come second to lining them up and pretending to be an art teacher!
Growing up I watched my mother teach all different subjects and I loved every minute! Along with the encouragement of my parents I set my eyes on getting my education and becoming an Art teacher.
Fast forward 24 years later, art teacher by day, sewer/designer by night and a fashionista 24/7, I found my true passion within the fashion industry!
Loosing my father in 2019 catapulted my passion for fashion and design! I didn’t know it at the time but only a few years later in 2021 I started to sew.
First I started with creating floral head fascinators then a simple tulle circle skirt, now I am all about the focus of textures, colors and volume in each design!
I don’t wish that I had started sooner because I would have missed out on all the good, the lessons, learning what I needed to learn to be right where I am!
I can only focus on the fact that my creativity and love for fashion has run through my veins since I can remember, for that I am thankful!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
Being an art teacher for 24 years and dealing with my father’s death made me look at my life differently!
I couldn’t leave my job, I was too far deep, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel! I needed creativity though! I wanted to become part of the fashion industry, but how!
I had done the voluntary swag bag fills for shows, elevated to back stage manager for several shows, taught head fascinator classes, it still wasn’t filling my soul! That’s when I realized I wasn’t taking advantage of the sewing machine my husband had bought!
A few tulle circle skirts later and I have made over 80 garments ranging from pants to dresses to kimonos!
There is something magical about transforming an old blanket into a form of art that I can wear! It fills me with excitement when the pile of fabric is now an elevated look!
This process and my story helps my community realize that they are never too old to try something new! They do NOT have to be perfect or even the best in the room, they just need to be themselves !
How did you build your audience on social media?
I refer to my audience as my community! They are like family to me! Some are people I see monthly, some once a year and others I know they exist however I have never met them!
I started by taking daily selfies, “ outfit” pictures. Not many words to share just photos. I searched # that were in my niche, I looked up creative fashion!
When I came across an account that inspired me I not only followed, liked and commented on their account I sent them a Dm! Telling them what specific things I liked about their video, picture or outfit, then I would go on to explain that I was an art teacher by day and sewer/ designer by night and was happy to connect!
Most people do NOT take a moment to explain who they are, or give a compliment! I didn’t follow to expect a follow, I followed them because they inspired me or uplifted me!
Your social media presence and community is all about what you make of it! With that being said, get familiar with the unfollow button, you’re going to need that as well!
Showing up to events as your authentic self is also a wonderful way to built your following!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being a creative first is the way the garment I finish makes me feel when I wear it, second is the reaction of people when they see me wearing it! My designs for the most part are whimsical, colorful and full of texture!
If the piece doesn’t make me happy I’m not wearing it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Hinchology.com
- Instagram: Hinchology
- Facebook: Hinchology
- Other: Tik tok: hinchology
Image Credits
They are all taken by me