Class of 2020: Regina
In her retirement, Regina Madison was finally able to pursue her passion for fashion through Custom Collaborative’s Training Institute. “I was really only thinking about sewing,” she thought, but after COVID’s sudden arrival in NYC, the program became much more.
In late winter, the bustling streets of New York City fell silent in the wake of coronavirus, only a few nurses and EMTs could be seen. Among the essential workers, Regina Madison took to the streets early every morning near her home in Washington Heights to walk, stretch, and pray. At 64, she braved the infectious outside world in order to prepare herself mentally and physically for a full day of online learning, sewing, and grieving loved ones lost to the virus.
After 33 years of working for the NYC Department of Health, Regina’s retirement brought new opportunities. “I always had a flair for fashion,” the Harlem native explained, “but having a family, having kids, it took me down a different path.” She discovered Custom Collaborative through Instagram and applied for the program, having always wanted to learn to sew. Once admitted, she realized the Training Institute was far more rigorous than expected. “The empowerment, the purpose of the program, it was bigger than I thought,” she explained. Regina and her classmates had no idea just how challenging it would become.
An outfit by Regina made during the virtual Training Institute
“I was affected right away,” Regina said of COVID-19. “I started losing family and people I’d worked with for decades… it was hard, how rapidly people were dying. I was getting calls and seeing texts come across while I was trying to keep up with the class.” Nonetheless, she gave it her all. Impressively, she was the first in her family to use Zoom, but had to attend class through her cell phone - a steep challenge for an older woman with glasses. “My brain used to hurt!” she exclaimed, but her family and CC sisters kept her strong. “There was a lot of encouragement… Trying to grieve and learn, it was challenging. But, being home, you didn’t feel so alone because you were with your classmates.”
Even when the program transitioned to online learning, it maintained an intensive schedule. Class ran from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Some days Regina continued working until 9pm or later. “It was a lot of fun learning, I was using a part of my brain I’d never used before… It kept me busy, through all the pain and confusion and paranoia of COVID. I was laughing and crying through it all.” CC instructors found creative ways to keep virtual class interesting. Usually, the program includes various field trips and professional guests. Regina was impressed with their ability to maintain the curriculum, “CC was very with it, they kept the class moving forward. We did virtual trips, which were truly amazing, it kept up the interest. Everyone stuck with it, even though it was a different world, a different norm. These people have a real deep place in my heart.”
“You live long enough to meet amazing women with incredible strength. It’s a beautiful thing.”
As a mother and grandmother, Regina values community and encouragement, as does Custom Collaborative. Students kept each other accountable, praying for one another every step of the way. Class didn’t begin until everyone was present and ready. “You live long enough to meet amazing women with incredible strength. It’s a beautiful thing,” she said of her classmates. “With everything going on, they can still put a smile on your face and give you faith.”
Regina (farthest left) at her granddaughter’s Trolls themed birthday party. Her granddaughter (farthest right) sports Regina’s handmade mask
Already, Regina’s putting her new skills to good use. She sewed 20 Trolls-themed face masks for her granddaughter's outdoor birthday party and plans to put together a customizable “Party Pack” for safe, socially distanced celebrations. If you start seeing people with matching shirts and face masks around Washington Heights, it’s probably Regina’s creation! She also has plans to work as a seamstress for professional boxers. “It’s something I never would have thought of,” she said of the new opportunity. Soon she’ll be designing and sewing badass uniforms for both male and female athletes.
Speaking to future students, Regina advises that “if selected, it’s a blessing. This whole process is going to take you to a different level. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t give up.” She praised the positive energy of Custom Collaborative and those who make it possible. “I never felt that I couldn’t make it, because everyone was just a phone call away. They covered every area of support that I needed… These women will forever be my sisters”
Words by Auden Barbour