Meet Tori Sloan Stevens | Fashion Designer & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tori Sloan Stevens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tori Sloan, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Honestly, most people don’t realize how much time, effort, and detail goes into handmade crochet. It’s not something you can mass produce, every single piece is made stitch by stitch, completely by hand. There’s no machine that can do what crocheters do, and I think that’s kind of beautiful! People see the finished product and think it’s just a cute dress or top, but behind the scenes, it might’ve taken me 20+ hours to bring it to life. There’s a ton of labor, creativity, and patience in every piece, and I think that’s what makes crochet so special.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sewn by Sloan is a handmade crochet brand I started after rediscovering something I had loved as a child. I originally learned to crochet from my grandmother Bess when I was younger, but like most kids, I dropped it. Fast forward to spring of 2023 after a pretty wild, classic college style spring break in Panama City Beach, I came back craving something more grounding and meaningful.

While visiting my parents’ old house before they finished moving out, I found my childhood toy chest. Inside was some yarn and a few old crochet hooks- I took it as a sign. I brought everything back to college and made it my mission to relearn. I turned to YouTube and seriously, shoutout to all the grandmas on there who still post the helpful tutorials. Within a few weeks, I had taught myself enough to start creating again.

The first outfit I ever made was for a big Greek life music festival at my school called ROW. I wanted something unique and personal, so I designed and made it myself and people loved it. I got so many compliments that it pushed me to keep going. Over time, I learned to read patterns, understand stitch structure, and eventually started creating custom designs from scratch. Now, I can look at almost any crochet piece and instantly know how it was made and how long it probably took.

In 2024, I opened commissions for ROW and to my surprise, it took off. I booked up so quickly I had to close orders just to manage everything. I made 8 custom pieces/outfits in a month and a half and didn’t even finish my own outfit until the morning of the event.

Building Sewn by Sloan hasn’t been easy. It takes hours of work, focus, and patience, especially when you’re running everything by yourself while juggling school and other responsibilities. But what kept me going was how connected I felt to the process. Crochet became more than just a craft; it became a form of self-expression and a way to reclaim calm and creativity in the middle of a busy life.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t need everything figured out to start. I didn’t have a business plan. I just had yarn, a hook, and a drive to make something meaningful, and that was enough to begin.

Since then, I’ve had some really exciting moments. In January 2025, my Tangled Threads Sweater was featured in a Nikon x Preston Luke portrait workshop where I also modeled the piece. It was my first breakout into the Miami creative scene before I even officially moved there. Later that year, my Night Bloom Muse Dress was featured at the Paraiso Miami Beach opening party during Swim Week, worn by the stunning Swim Miami model Victoria Mallard.

Now, I’m working on my first official drop for Sewn By Sloan, inspired by my move from Arkansas to Miami. It’s colorful, bold, and has a lot of heart in it. I model all of my own looks, collaborate with local photographers, and bring my vision to life through styled shoots and personal storytelling.

What I want people to know is this: crochet is slow fashion. It’s intentional, personal, and full of story. Every piece I make is truly one-of-a-kind, made by hand, and built with care. That’s the heart of Sewn By Sloan, and it’s only just beginning.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town for the week, I’d definitely give them the full Miami experience- fun, fabulous, a little chaotic, and definitely unforgettable.

We’d start with something cute and balanced, maybe a Hot Babe Pilates class (because it’s pink and adorable, obviously) or a slow flow at Mimi Yoga, which has such a calm, pretty vibe. Then we’d grab smoothies or lunch while walking around the Design District, it’s my favorite place to shop, people-watch, and take outfit pics in my Sewn by Sloan pieces. Honestly, the District never misses for inspo or content.

We’d also make time for a Brickell day- walking around Brickell Key, hitting Brickell City Centre, and catching a game or grabbing spicy margs at Moxie’s if there’s something on. If the timing lines up, we’d definitely go to a Miami Heat game or catch a Florida Panthers hockey game, the energy at both is unreal and so fun, even if you’re not a diehard fan. Afterward, we’d hit Delilah for happy hour with a view.

COTE is always a must for a boujee dinner. If we’re doing a girls’ night out, I’d start with a table at LIV to see John Summit, and then if the energy’s still going, we’re 100% ending up at Space dancing till sunrise. It’s just a Miami rite of passage.

A boat day is non-negotiable. We’d sail around, play music, tan, and point out all the crazy celebrity homes and mega-mansions. I always bring a few Sewn by Sloan pieces for quick outfit changes and photos.

When we want to chill, Soho Beach House is our go to. If it’s not absurdly packed, it’s the perfect place for a pool day or to just sit with a drink and crochet while chatting with friends. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel creative just being in it.

Cocktails at Swizzle are always a hit- it’s this aesthetic little lounge bar that feels like a hidden gem. And for late-night munchies, you cannot go wrong with Skinny Louie’s or Cowwy Burger. They’re clutch when you need something greasy after a night out.

Basically, I’d show them all my favorite pockets of the city, the places that make Miami feel electric but still personal. It’s a city where you can spend the morning on a mat, the afternoon on a yacht, and the night dancing under neon lights. And in between all of it, I’m either in a Sewn by Sloan piece or stitching up something new.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so many people to thank for where I am today, but first my parents, Todd and Tara Stevens. They’ve supported me through every phase of life and somehow didn’t kill me for choosing crochet over med school. That unconditional love (and patience!) means everything.

My grandmother Bess Overton is the one who taught me how to crochet and knit when I was a little girl, which planted the seed for Sewn by Sloan. My other grandmother, Ann Wortsmith, was an artist, and she always saw and supported the little artist in me before I even knew she was there. She passed in 2023, but her belief in me is something I carry with me every day.

And my boyfriend, Brandon Amoroso, deserves a special shoutout too. His love and support constantly push me to be the best version of myself. Even though he’s more used to building AI tech companies (Co-Founder of SCALIS.AI), he helps me in any way he can, from brainstorming ideas to cheering me on when I’m second guessing myself. I’m so grateful for everything he does behind the scenes.

Website: https://sewnbysloan.com

Instagram: Personal: @Torissloan Business: @SewnbySloann

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-sloan-stevens-165416195/

Other: Email: Torisloanstevens@gmail.com

Image Credits
@shutter.kat | Katy Santa Cruz Photography:
– the pink top and pink bow bag picture
– bikini and goggles pictures
– the two girls in the water picture

@rimhvisuals | J the Photographer:
– leaning against a tree picture
– black and white photo
– the rainbow sweater I submitted for my personal picture in the beginning

@lindsay.ann.photo | Lindsay Ann
– disco ball & swimsuit pictures

@iamalexandrialee_ | Alexandria Lee
– rainbow colored sweater picture