Cheryl Zemke is a Multi Award winning established Fashion Designer, Artist, and Owner C. She is the owner of Cheryl Zemke Boutique located at 2934 Biddle Wyandotte, MI. and has her own garment label - C3 by Cheryl Zemke. Zemke’s fashion and art are intertwined. Her fashion strives to make unique, one-of-a-kind creations with an artistic touch; her art is inspired from fashion and culture. Zemke’s
cultural involvement extends to various local professional theatres as a costume designer who specializes, and has a passion for historical attire. Cheryl was born and raised in southern Michigan. She attended Lawrence Technological University and received a B.S.B.A (minor in art, drafting, & architecture.) She, also, received an Associate Degree in Merchandising at the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Florida, graduating as class Valedictorian. Zemke attended Wayne State University taking classes in tailoring and textiles and managed Joann Fabrics for 13 years prior to opening her own business. She is active with various sewing and art groups, and has taught various classes in art and sewing, privately and in a classroom setting, for the 18 years. Cheryl is experienced in many different aspects for fashion, sewing, tailoring and alterations, with a focus in custom, couture designs made specifically for her clients. She worked for over ten years as a subcontractor for local dry cleaners doing alterations, and also worked as a quality control specialist for Home Shopping Network where she learned many different skills concerning fashion fit, garment design, and manufacturing/production. This past September 11, 2021, Cheryl showed her fashion designs on the runway at New York Fashion Week. March 2020 - featured in Washington Post article focused on art inspired by the pandemic. June 2020 - won first place in the Detroit is Your Couture- Camo Couture contest, sponsored by Mila Mara Agency and Papa Weez, for her “Unity” jacket inspired by Black Lives Matter movement.
2014 - selected as one of ten finalists for the DIA/ Detroit Garment Guild Group Samurai: “Beyond the Armor” Design Challenge. After the contest she was featured in Styleline magazine as one of ten “Designers to Watch” in the tri-county area.
2017 - awarded 1st place by the Howell Opera Center for her Avant-Garde Repurposed Runway design. Other awards: 2016 Best of Show and Judge’s Choice Stand Up Fashion Show-Papa Weeze Productions, 2013 Third place for her mannequin art from DYPA. Cheryl has won 5 awards from the American Sewing Expo (2009-2012) Passion for Fashion contest (similar to Project Runway). This is an 18-hour challenge consisting of 12 designers from around the nation, chosen to compete by the ASE jury. 2012 First Place Winner, 2011 Second Place Award, 2010 View’s Choice Award, 2009 Third Place & the Viewer's Choice Award. Zemke has produced her own fashion shows for the past ten years and has participated in a total of 55 fashion shows throughout the New York, Michigan, and Ohio area. Most of these shows have support non-profit charities and art centers.
