Initially, screen-savvy thespian and Long Island native Evan Hirsch thought his future would be on the Broadway stage.
But it didn’t quite play out that way.
“I could take a hint when the cast list for the school play would go up and I would be cast as a tree or a villager,” joked Hirsch, who grew up in Dix Hills.
Instead, he found his calling behind the scenes — in the costume department — where he fell in love with transforming classmates into characters through clothing.
That pivot changed everything.
Today, Hirsch is captivating audiences in a different way — through bold, theatrical designs that have racked up hundreds of millions of views across social media. He has more than 180,000 followers on Instagram and over 550,000 on TikTok, where his top video has surpassed 54 million views.
He’s also gone on to design looks for celebrities at the 2024 and 2025 Met Galas, the “Wicked: For Good” NYC premiere and other high-profile events.
His rise didn’t happen overnight.
Less than a year after graduating from Drexel University with a degree in fashion and apparel design, the pandemic hit — forcing Hirsch, like many others, to pivot.
“It all started when I posted my senior thesis collection on TikTok,” said Hirsch. “I decided there was no harm in sharing my previous transforming dress work. The video garnered over seven million views.”
From there, he began posting transforming dress videos daily — blending his love for fashion with his background in theater.
“It was my original intent to portray my dramatic side and love for theatricality into the clothes I created,” said Hirsch. “I thought of the idea of creating performance through clothing.”
That theatrical influence runs deep.
Hirsch credits British-Cypriot designer Hussein Chalayan and pop icon Lady Gaga as major inspirations.
“I first saw her concert when I was 13-years-old, and from there I would sketch designs in the same theatrical nature that she would portray herself and her music with,” he said.
As his following grew, so did national attention.
Hirsch has been featured in Vogue Business, Glamour and other major outlets, and appeared on Tamron Hall’s “Up & Coming Designer Series.”
“It’s what I always dreamed of, and as a designer, you always hope to have a moment to show your work on a national stage,” said Hirsch. “When the camera points to me I absolutely light up. I think it’s the inner theater kid shining through. In terms of my feature in Vogue, that was special because I would go to the library every month after school to read the latest issue. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a level of imposter syndrome that follows it all!”
Behind the viral success, though, is the reality of building a business.
“The glitz and glamour are amazing on the surface but, at the end of the day, we are in the business of selling product,” said Hirsch. “Sustaining a viable business and driving sales of garments is challenging. Attention-getting social media and runway pieces are not the saleable ones. Also, there are antiquated practices and people who succeed by having connections rather than through luck or unique talents.”
To adapt, Hirsch has leaned into sustainability — specifically upcycling — as both a creative and business strategy.
“I never would have thought upcycling would become a major part of my business, but when I realized the impact and broadening of my customer base, it made so much sense to pivot,” he said.
He partnered with ShopGoodwill.com for the nonprofit’s first New York Fashion Week runway show, showcasing how thrifted pieces can be transformed into high-fashion looks.
“I had an idea to put one of my designs in a retail store myself without anyone knowing,” said Hirsch. “That idea evolved into taking a piece of clothing from Goodwill, upcycling it, and returning with the same $6 tag.”
Now, with a growing platform and industry recognition, Hirsch is looking to inspire the next generation of designers.
“I would say embrace social media and try to connect with likeminded people,” he said. “Also, mentally prepare yourself! You have to love the world of fashion — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Stay true to yourself as a designer and don’t be afraid to take risks. Start small and work your way up!”
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Top: Evan Hirsch in his New York City design studio. (Credit: Alice Moreno)
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