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Check Out Sonia Le’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Le.

Hi Sonia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I founded Cosmo Chic SC out of a lifelong passion for sewing, fashion, and creating pieces that make people feel confident. Originally from South Africa, I moved to the United States over 28 years ago and built a new life while raising my daughter and overcoming many personal and professional challenges. Along the way, I discovered that my greatest joy comes from helping others through creativity—whether it’s designing custom clothing, giving cherished garments new life through alterations, or creating personalized embroidered gifts. Today, Cosmo Chic SC is more than a fashion studio; it’s a place where creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability come together. Every piece I create is made with care, and I’m grateful to do what I love while helping my clients express their unique style and preserve meaningful memories.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape who I am and the business I have today.

One of my biggest struggles was learning to believe in myself and my creativity. Starting a business means wearing so many hats — designer, maker, marketer, problem solver, and everything in between. There were moments of uncertainty, times when I questioned if I was doing the right thing, and challenges that pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

Building Cosmo Chic SC has taken patience, persistence, and a lot of learning along the way. As a small business owner, there are always obstacles — finding the right customers, balancing time, keeping up with the behind-the-scenes work, and continuing to grow while staying true to my passion.

My personal journey has also shaped me. Moving from South Africa to the United States, rebuilding my life, becoming a young widow and single mom, and learning how strong I could be through those experiences taught me resilience. Those same lessons are what I bring into my business today.

I’ve learned that struggles don’t mean you’re failing — they are part of creating something meaningful. Every piece I design, every alteration I complete, and every upcycled creation has a story behind it. Cosmo Chic SC is more than a business to me; it’s a reflection of creativity, strength, and never giving up.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner and designer behind Cosmo Chic SC, where I bring creativity, fashion, and personal stories together through custom designs, alterations, embroidery, and upcycled creations.

My passion has always been creating pieces that help people feel confident and special. I love taking something ordinary and transforming it into something unique — whether that means giving a treasured garment new life, creating a custom piece, or turning meaningful fabrics into keepsakes that hold memories for years to come.

I specialize in custom sewing, alterations, embroidery, and sustainable fashion using upcycled materials. I believe fashion is more than just clothing — it is a way to express who we are. Every piece has a story, and I enjoy helping my clients bring that story to life.

What I am most proud of is building a business that reflects my creativity and my journey. Moving from South Africa to the United States, rebuilding my life, and overcoming personal challenges taught me strength, resilience, and the importance of following your dreams. Cosmo Chic SC represents that same idea — taking something and transforming it into something beautiful.

What sets my work apart is the personal connection behind each creation. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all fashion. I take the time to understand my clients, their personalities, and the meaning behind their projects. From everyday alterations to one-of-a-kind custom designs, my goal is always to create something that makes someone feel seen, confident, and beautiful.

I am also a mental for the fashion teens, where I teach them how to design a piece as well as create created.And have it walk down the runway. I love teaching people how to sew whether it is for fun or to start their own business or just do simple.Alterations.

For me, being a designer is not just about fabric and thread — it’s about creativity, connection, and turning ideas into something people can love.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something people who know my work and Cosmo Chic SC might not know is that my creativity comes from much more than a love of fashion — it comes from a lifetime of learning how to rebuild, reinvent, and create beauty from change.

I was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa and moved to the United States over 29 years ago as an au pair. I came here with a sense of adventure and a dream of creating a new life. Along the way, life brought challenges I never expected, including losing my first husband at a young age and becoming a single mother to my daughter,

Those experiences shaped the person and designer I am today. They taught me resilience, independence, and how to see possibility even in difficult moments. In many ways, that same philosophy is reflected in my work — especially my love for upcycling. I enjoy taking something that may have been forgotten or overlooked and transforming it into something beautiful with a new purpose and story.

Behind every stitch is a piece of my journey. Cosmo Chic SC is not just about clothing and design — it is about confidence, transformation, memories, and celebrating individuality. My hope is that when someone wears or receives something I have created, they feel the love and care that went into making it.

Contact Info:

Clothing display with floral jacket and white dress, a bag with a blue design, and a person in the background.

Back of a denim jacket with floral embroidery and sheer panel, displayed outdoors with plants and a store window behind.

Close-up of colorful fabric with a tropical leaf pattern, sewing machine needle, and water droplets on the fabric.

Hand holding fabric near sewing machine, with fabric and sewing machine visible.

Five women in colorful costumes, one with butterfly wings, posing indoors in a shopping mall.

Display mannequin with pink and gold costume, gold wings, and purple background, labeled 'Cosmo Chic'.

Red wide-brimmed hat with white floral design and embroidered text, held by a person. Background shows store interior.

Toilet with a blue and white patterned cloth covering the seat, on a wooden floor with a white surface nearby.

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