LSU alumna Grace Chetta is growing her business while helping save the environment in style.
Chetta created Gretta Garments, where she sells unique custom, sustainable clothing from vintage fabric on her Etsy shop and Instagram account.
While at LSU studying apparel design, Chetta made the most of her college years. Along with being the fashion show chair in 2016 for the textile, apparel and merchandising departments annual fashion show, Chetta also studied abroad in Florence and interned for Vera Wang in New York.
Chetta learned a lot about what the actual industry looks like and what to expect from her internship with the big designer.
“Being in large working studios like that was pretty cool, and just seeing the inner workings of a brand and how a product comes from an idea to a finish garment,” Chetta said. “The internship at Vera Wang really gave us a lot of freedom to kind of pick a department to shadow so I got to learn a lot.”
Chetta also interned for Suzanne Peron in New Orleans and eventually ended up working for the designer after graduation. She was able to take all the experience she had gathered over the years and use it to her advantage.
“Really working for Suzanne is what gave me the confidence to feel like I had the skills to be making my own custom sized clothing,” Chetta said. “I mean, just practicing with her- the actual pattern making, draping, designing process and more, working with a client really put all those things I learned at LSU into practice.”
Chetta is now taking all she’s learned and applying it to her own business, Gretta Garments.
Growing up, Chetta watched her grandmother sew and her funky sense of style always gave her inspiration. When her grandmother passed away, she left behind a huge collection of vintage fabrics. As a tribute to her grandmother Chetta continues to make clothing with those fabrics. She sees it as a great way not only to remember her, but also to work on the projects didn’t get to finish.
Chetta aims to make designs that fit her vintage fabrics, so she starts with the fabric rather than with a sketch of her design. ‘60s mod styles and ‘70s bohemian looks are mainly what the designer creates when she makes her custom pieces.
“With all of my designs, I’m trying to make something that is easy to wear and versatile,” Chetta said. “So, really when I’m coming up with a design it’s making something I would want to wear and something I think my friends would want to wear.”
Being in control of her own designs and creative process also allows Chetta to be as sustainable as she wants. With the amount of waste in the fashion industry, Chetta wants to ensure she doesn’t contribute to fast fashion.
“That’s why I wanted to make clothing that is versatile and easier to wear for multiple occasions, that you can wear over and over again,” Chetta said. “Something that is high quality that is going to last a long time.”
Now Chetta is planning her very own fashion show to show off her latest sustainable
creations.
The fashion show, being held on Oct. 17 at Circa 1857, will be a great opportunity for people to discover Gretta Garments. The event will have food, drinks, music and a market set up afterwards with her and several other artists selling their work.
After working part time at a law office doing secretary work to save money for her business, Chetta decided to leave to take the leap of faith and work full time as a designer and make pieces for her show.
“[I’m] just trying to make clothing for the confident care-free lady,” Chetta said.
With multiple designs in the works, recently being accepted to Mid-City Makers Market and her upcoming fashion show, the sky is the limit for Chetta and her career.
“Gretta Garments is meant for the everyday woman and to be for whether you’re a young professional working or whether you’re a mom or whether your both. It’s meant to be easy to wear and make you feel great in it,” Chetta said.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Courtesy of Gabrielle Feld