About

 I’m Maria Teresa, a self-taught fashion designer from Queens, NYC. Fashion and creating clothes has always been a part of my life. As a kid, I spent countless hours stitching clothes by hand for my dolls, upcycling clothes in my closet, and drawing dream dresses for all of my friends.  But growing up in a low-income immigrant neighborhood, pursuing a career in fashion never seemed like an obvious path. Creative opportunities were hard to come by, resources limited, and the idea of working in design felt like a privilege not endowed to me.

With no formal training, I started learning on my own—watching tutorials, practicing with whatever materials I could find, and teaching myself through the mistakes I made. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the process. Sewing hours a day, sketching my own designs, and piecing together fabrics became second nature to me.

By MTF was born in my college dorm, where I first taught myself to sew. Every piece is 100% handmade by me-- I sketch the designs, source the fabrics from local small businesses in Queens, and sew everything together. Every hour I put into creating is so worth it, because there is no better feeling than seeing someone wear what I made.

By MTF aims to be a channel of personal expression. The clothes aren't just for consumption, but they tell a story. I design each piece so carefully in hopes that wearing it feels like your playing dress up, and that you can emit your most confidence self when you are wearing a piece.

This website is a reflection of my passion for making clothes. It’s just the beginning, but I’m excited to grow, to learn, and to share my work with everyone. I have lots of plans for the future, but for now, it's ones step a time.

With Love,

MTF