About
Since 2015, Sugarcane Studios has become Asheville’s premier custom sewing and luxury alterations shop. We specialize in Bridal Alterations and formalwear, but also do general alterations and make custom clothing. Basically, if you wear it, we sew it!
Our studio focuses on high-quality sewing, and the highest level of customer service. We are not your average alterations shop. We believe that clothing is a self-reflection and that if your clothes fit, you not only look your best, but you also feel your best! That is why we take ample time to listen to our customers’ needs, to fit each garment carefully, and to be sure each client is satisfied before we are done with their work.
We truly believe that well-made and well-fit clothing can transform how you feel about yourself, how you present yourself to the world, and therefore it can truly have an impact on your life. It is a luxury, and you deserve it! Come let us show you how it feels to have high quality alterations or custom clothing.
Our Team
Tara Nyanga (Owner/Fitter)
An Asheville native, Tara’s professional career started in New York City with creating costumes for Broadway shows at Barbara Matera’s. She continued to the men's tailoring shop at The Metropolitan Opera. Tara then spent 5 years in the film and television world, starting with the high-fashion world on the hit TV show Gossip Girl, continuing with multiple movies including the Emmy-award-winning HBO series, John Adams, and ending with...Magic Mike XXL.
With a diverse range of period costumes, dancewear, as well as extensive menswear fitting and alterations, Tara is a fit expert. She has 25 years' experience with the demands of top-level designers and extremely particular celebrities. She has fit, altered, and made all types of clothes, with all sorts of personalities, and on all body types. Additionally, her costuming career has trained Tara to think outside the box and problem-solve complex projects. The more creative, the better!
Jo Leichte (Professional Seamstress)
With a background in theater and professional experience at Bernina sewing machine company, when it comes to sewing, Jo has done a little bit of everything! Her role at Sugarcane Studios is to take the fitted dresses, interpret the pins, take the dress apart and put it back together again in a way that suits each bride’s figure. Her calmness, willingness to think outside the box, flexibility, and consistency is vital to our team, and allows us to help as many brides as possible. When not in the shop, you can find Jo singing with her choir, and caring for her rescue cats.
Kassandra Tuttle (Studio Manager/Fitter)
Also a native from Asheville, Kassandra keeps the shop organized, the clients scheduled, and everything moving along. She has a Masters in Design and Construction of Costumes from Savannah College of Art and Design, and a passion for sewing. She is always looking for ways to improve our process and help our customers look and feel amazing! Kassandra LOVES working with brides and helping them feel their best! When not sewing, you can probably find Kassandra at a concert, with her cat, or grabbing an ice coffee!
Emily Ohrlich (Custom Sewing Manager/Fitter)
Emily has had an eye for clothing since the very young age of 3, when her mom finally let her choose her own wardrobe.…you could even say she was “destined” to work in fashion. Once in college, Emily pursued a degree in Fashion Design from Kent State, before working in design positions in New York City for the fashion labels SUNO and Sea NY. To avoid burnout, in 2017, Emily and her [now] husband traveled around the country for 2 years before deciding to settle in Asheville…where she enjoys the beautiful mountains, the art scene, good beer, and baseball. Emily has a passion to make every client feel confident and special.
Jennifer Ackland (Fitter/Professional Seamstress)
Jennifer's professional background is in the regional theater world, including North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and Appalachian State University. She has 20 years of experience in building, fitting, and altering costumes, as well as managing costume shops. She has seen and done a bit of everything, which means that she is a problem solver and has a strong creative streak! Our clients reap the benefits of her experience…she will be sure you can move confidently in your pants, dance the night away in your dress, and just simply feel amazing in your clothes! When Jennifer is not in the studio, she can be found relaxing with her family and exploring Asheville.
Gretchen Moore (Professional Seamstress)
Gretchen first learned to sew as a teenager, before her professional sewing career led her to working in the outdoor apparel industry, making military-grade gear, and developing jackets for firemen. Turning from a world of technical fabrics, canvas, and fire-proofing, she is now indulging in the more delicate world of fine clothing and bridal gowns. Gretchen is enjoying the new focus and expanding her knowledge into high-quality alterations and the details of bridal work. Because she loves gorgeous mountains, Gretchen moved here from Colorado and enjoys gardening, beekeeping, and hiking with her family.
Niki Litersky (Professional Seamstress)
Niki's lifelong passion for sewing started at age 14, when she began learning from her mother, and continued when she went to fashion design school for college. Professionally, Niki has worked doing high-end alterations as well as bridal alterations for over 15 years. This experience means that she has the experience and the know-how to execute at a high level for our clients. She enjoys the challenge and variety of work that comes through the shop. When Niki is not working, her hobbies include making (and wearing) detailed historical garments from the late 17th Century through the late 19th Century…this has given her a deep and thorough knowledge of fashion history and construction.
Edith Nyanga (Studio Assistant/Front Desk)
Edith's background in customer-service makes her the perfect fit for our front desk. She wears many hats including managing our complex and ever-changing schedule, helping our fitters to make their fittings run smoothly, and working on multiple marketing initiatives. She also chooses the music that keeps everyone happy and the vibe positive! When she is not at work, you can find her hosting speed dating events, competing in Trivia nights around town, enjoying the foodie scene in Asheville, or hanging out with her best friend, [her awesome dog] Bex.
The Studio
Located in South Asheville, our studio is our creative hub and a destination for our discerning alterations customers. Come here to get your clothing altered, have a bridal fitting, take a one-on-one sewing lesson, or shop for gifts and accessories in our small retail shop!
Gallery
To schedule an appointment, select the link below:
828-785-3167
1550 Hendersonville Rd. Suite 214. Asheville, NC, 28803
Fittings by appointment only
Monday -
Saturday, 10:00am - 6:00pm
