Meet Tehila

We were lucky to catch up with Tehila recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tehila , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding my purpose has never been a straight path. It’s something I’m constantly rediscovering, reshaping, and redefining. But no matter how many times the answer shifts, it always leads me back to one thing: art.

Art has been a quiet companion in my life, gently woven into my story by my mother. She was the first person who showed me that creativity could be a way of life, not just something you do, but something you live.

When I was a child, she would take me and my brothers to museums. At the time, I didn’t understand it; staring at paintings on white walls felt boring and uneventful. But now, those memories feel sacred. As I grew older, something changed. I began to fall in love with the silence of galleries, the way each brushstroke held emotion, and the stories hidden within each piece. I started reading artists’ statements, lingering longer in front of pieces that made me feel something. I started seeing the world through an artistic lens—color, emotion, texture—all began to matter in a new way.

Beyond museum walls, art lived in our home. My mom would turn simple objects into beautiful, thoughtful design elements, always crafting, always creating. She often sewed clothes for me on special occasions, and I would watch her, mesmerized by how she let her feelings guide the fabric, the patterns, the form. I’d ask her how she came up with her designs, and she’d always say, “I don’t know yet. I’ll just start and see where it takes me.”

That’s how I found my purpose: by starting, feeling, and letting the process guide me.

But I’d be lying if I said I never question it. There are so many times I stop and ask myself, Why am I even doing this? There are so many other urgent, important causes in the world—fighting poverty, protecting the environment, advocating for education and justice in more direct, tangible ways. And in those moments of doubt, I wonder if art is enough.

But then I remember, art is how I can help. It’s my way of showing up for the world. Art is like a quiet kind of medicine, one that people don’t always know they need, but that still heals something deep inside. It can comfort, inspire, challenge, and connect. It reminds us we’re not alone. It gives language to the feelings we don’t know how to name.

Sharing my story through art began to feel like writing a diary, not just to express myself, but to remind someone else out there that they’re not alone.

In truth, my purpose is still evolving, but it always begins with art. Art, to me, is not just something I do—it’s how I live. It gives me a reason to keep creating, to keep feeling, and to keep sharing, no matter where life takes me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a fashion designer and artist, and every time I meet someone new, one of my favorite things to share is what I do. So many people go through life in careers that don’t fulfill them, and I feel incredibly lucky to say that I genuinely love what I do. Being a designer brings me immense happiness — it’s not just a career, it’s a calling that allows me to express who I am and connect with others on a deeper level.

In a previous article with STL Magazine, I shared that I’m currently working on a large-scale fashion and fine art collection titled Confusione. This is a deeply personal project that will take me two years to complete, and the process of building it brings me so much joy. I dream of the day when this collection lives in galleries and walks down runways — a true blend of fine art and fashion. Just imagining it fills me with excitement and purpose.

More recently, I made the decision to relaunch my silk scarf collection, something that’s very close to my heart. Before stepping into my first corporate design job, I worked as an art vendor, selling prints of my original artwork and silk scarves adorned with motifs I had created. Every time someone purchased a piece, it felt incredibly rewarding — knowing that my work made someone feel something, that they wanted to carry a part of that emotion with them, whether on their wall or around their neck.

Though my time as an art vendor was short, selling out my scarf collection felt like a quiet, powerful affirmation that I was on the right path. But like many artists, I had moments of doubt. I stepped away for a while, partly due to the demands of my job and partly because I questioned whether I was really good enough to make a lasting impact with my art.

Now, I know I am.

I’ve realized that art is the way I connect with the world, and it’s also how I can give something meaningful back. That’s why I’ve decided to relaunch my scarf line in the coming months — slowly but surely, with intention and care. Right now, only my art prints are available on my Etsy page, but I plan to bring the scarves back to that platform as well. I’m also exploring new ways and spaces to share my work, so more people can discover and experience it.

I see this as not just a creative endeavor, but a chance to put my name out there, to share my work, and to invite others into my story.

From this renewed beginning, I will continue building Confusione, step by step, piece by piece. I know that with persistence, passion, and purpose, I will grow and evolve into the fashion designer I’ve always envisioned becoming — someone whose name is recognized, not just for what I create, but for the meaning and emotion I bring to every piece.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One of the most impactful parts of my journey has been developing the technical skills that are essential to being both a fashion designer and an artist. Learning how to draw, sew, pattern-make, and construct garments is foundational. These are not just skills — they’re the tools that allow you to bring your ideas to life, transforming a 2D concept into a 3D form that moves, breathes, and exists in the world.

There is so much depth to understanding how fabric behaves — how it drapes, reacts to movement, and evokes emotion. Many times I’ve created a design where the idea was strong, but the fabric choice didn’t support the vision. That mismatch taught me that choosing the right material is just as important as the design itself. I’m still learning every day, and that’s what makes this process so beautiful — there is always room to grow. You never truly stop learning.

Beyond tangible, hands-on skills, it’s equally important to become fluent in digital tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and 3D fashion software. These programs help translate your vision in a way that others can understand and visualize. In such a competitive industry, having strong technical proficiency can help set you apart and bring more clarity to your work.

A skill I’ve struggled with — but am actively working on — is advocating for myself. You can be incredibly talented, technically gifted, and creatively brilliant, but if you don’t speak up, if you don’t share your work, people may never see what you’re capable of.

For a long time, I felt that promoting myself might come across as arrogant or insincere. I didn’t want to seem full of myself, so I kept quiet. But I’ve come to understand that confidence and self-promotion are not the same as ego. There’s nothing wrong with proudly sharing your work — especially when it comes from a genuine place.

Even something as small as someone complimenting my outfit on the street has become an opportunity for me to advocate for myself. I’ve learned to say thank you and follow up with, “I actually share my outfits on Instagram — you should check it out!” It’s a small gesture, but one that reminds me it’s okay to be proud and visible. That’s not arrogance — that’s belief in your craft.

Above all, the most important quality I’ve developed is persistence. In this industry — in any creative journey — rejection is inevitable. I’ve received countless rejection emails from fashion brands, many of which say they aren’t interested in hiring me. And every time, I delete the email and move on.

It doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting, but I’ve learned to keep going regardless. Like everyone says, you have to fail in order to succeed — and it’s true. The rejections far outnumber the wins, but when those wins come, they’re deeply fulfilling. They make the struggle worth it. They make failure feel like a necessary and even satisfying part of the process.

What helps me most in these moments is returning to why I’m doing this. I know my purpose, and that clarity makes the hard days easier. It reminds me that every “no” is just part of the journey toward something bigger.

My journey is still unfolding, and I’m still learning every day. But looking back, I can say with certainty that technical mastery, self-advocacy, and persistence have been the most impactful forces in my growth. To anyone just starting out: focus on your craft, believe in yourself enough to speak up, and most importantly, never stop moving forward.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had people in my life who not only believed in me, but also helped shape the skills and mindset I needed to grow as a designer and artist. My journey wouldn’t be what it is without their guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback.

My fashion professors played a major role in building my foundation. Through their teaching, I learned essential technical skills — from drawing and sewing to patternmaking and garment construction. But even more valuable was how they taught me to think like a designer, to be intentional, and to explore creative ideas through clothing. I’m deeply grateful for the time I spent learning from them.

As I entered the professional world, two people have continued to help me navigate the challenges that come with pursuing a creative path: my mom and my twin brother.

My mom has always been a source of unwavering belief. Since I was a child, she reminded me, “You can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it.” She learned that phrase from a show she loved growing up, Little House on the Prairie, and passed it on to me — a small piece of wisdom that’s stayed with me ever since. Her words have helped me through many difficult moments, giving me the strength to keep going when I question my path.

My twin brother also plays a huge part in my growth. Like many artists, I often cycle between confidence and self-doubt. He always knows what to say — offering encouragement when I need it, and honest, constructive feedback when I need to improve. That balance keeps me grounded. His belief in me, combined with his critiques, has helped me grow as both an artist and a person.

Of course, I’m also thankful for my entire support system — my family, my coworkers, and my creative peers. Every kind word, challenge, and collaboration has pushed me forward. I’ve come to realize that success isn’t just about talent — it’s about the people who walk beside you, lift you up, and remind you who you are, especially when you forget.

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Image Credits

Image credits: Tehila Ohana

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