Meet Molly Walz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Walz. 

Hi Molly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a kid, I was always fascinated with fabric and texture so when I received my first sewing machine for my fifth birthday, all bets were off. I became obsessed with creating in fabric and would sit at the machine on a phone book with the foot pedal wrapped in a washcloth to prevent speed. When my mom decided I was too young to handle pins and scissors without supervision, I would drape ridiculous gowns on our dress form by tying knots in the fabric. I thrived growing up as a somewhat strange but very creative child and eventually went to Kent State University to pursue a degree in Theatre Costume Design and Technology. After graduation I worked consistently in regional theaters across the country, building my network and skills and moving from gig to gig before finally moving to NYC to pursue a career on Broadway. Fast forward about 10 years and I have had the opportunity to work nationally and internationally with Broadway tours as a wardrobe supervisor and costume designer, as well as a tailor for Broadway, TV, and film (including tailoring for The Equalizer with Queen Latifah). No matter the phase in my life, sewing and fashion have been a constant. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a freelance artist is not an easy path by any means and it often feels like there are just as many struggles as successes, if not more. There have been tough jobs, tough clients, periods of not enough work, and learning how to balance this thing that I love with the realities of survival. It’s rare that I am doing only one job at a time and I have had to learn to budget my finances in a big way and balance a calendar with a realistic to-do list. But after ten years of juggling, I’m finally starting to settle into this business comfortably. I make my own schedule, choose the projects I’m excited about, and in moving to Ohio, I am finding that I am finally allowing myself time for a life outside of my art. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Over the years working as a tailor and costume designer I have learned a huge amount about creating a comfortable and safe space in a fitting room. When I moved to Ohio to be closer to my family, I wanted to be able to provide tailoring and styling to people who don’t feel safe with a traditional tailor. Enter: Sanctuary Inclusive Tailoring and Styling. I believe that every body is perfect exactly how it is in this moment and every person deserves to show their most authentic selves in their clothing. My favorite thing in a fitting is to clarify the most important fact to me: your body is never the issue, the clothing is. So, if your clothing isn’t right, let’s fix it! I absolutely love showing someone what their clothes could look like with a little adjustment and attention to detail and there is nothing better in the world than watching a client as they see themselves in the mirror for the first time after I have worked my magic.

When my best friend of almost 20 years got engaged to her now wife, one of the first things I asked was if she wanted me to make her dress. I knew she was not a “traditional bride” and she wanted something that was comfortable and felt like her. I also knew that her experience as a plus-sized queer woman in a traditional bridal salon might not be positive one. So instead, I designed a black and blue lace cocktail dress with a draped bodice. It felt like her and once she tried on the mockup, we both cried, knowing we had nailed it. Even though I am not a wedding dress designer and rarely build these type of garments, being able to create a look for one of my favorite people to get married in was the perfect blend of art, love, and real life.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.

The biggest pieces of advice I can offer to artists starting out are these: 

1. Don’t be afraid to fail. You will fail big and often and this is how we grow as artists (and people). 

2. Networking and community are the key to a business and artist succeeding. Lean on your people and help others when you can.

3. The experience can be just as important as the finished product. I have made some very cool things, but I have the most pride in the experience and safe space I provide.

4. Life is both long and short, so find balance. Don’t get so lost in the art that you miss the life happening around you. They feed into each other and the embracing of balance will give you a better product and a happier life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @SanctuaryTailoring
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-walz-b6215558/

Image Credits
Whitney Brewer Photography
De Nueva Photo