Lesley Ware is a fashion educator, author, and creative entrepreneur based in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

Known for her bold approach to sustainable style and inclusive fashion education, Lesley has written five books on sewing and style, including Black Girls Sew and How to Be a Fashion Designer.

She began her career in philanthropy with organizations like the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Girl Scouts' national office before launching The Creative Cookie in 2008—a blog offering a behind-the-scenes look at NYC’s fashion scene and her official entry into the industry.

Lesley has taught at Parsons School of Design and worked with museums like The MET and The Museum of the City of New York. In 2021, she created a DIY web series in collaboration with Creative Bug, nuuly, and Fab Scrap. Today, she is the founder of Art to Ware, a wearable art boutique with two NYC locations, known for curating one-of-a-kind, upcycled pieces from independent designers.

Lesley is currently living in Brooklyn, New York, while also spending time in her hometown of Muskegon, Michigan. She is passionate about using fashion as a tool for empowerment, self-expression, and change. She’s always looking for exciting new projects to bring that mission to life.