Hooked on style
Crochet takes stylish shape with Antoinette Hendricks’s ToniRaine
Published:Friday | July 4, 2025 | 12:06 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Antoinette Hendricks has always prided herself on being a fashionista. So, when the opportunity came to turn her passion into a profession, following fashion was a no-brainer for Hendricks, who had the fortune of being introduced to a traditional, timeless style that has been woven into several generations: crochet. Today, her ToniRaine pieces are making quite the statement.
“We currently do customised crochet dresses, pants, jumpers, shorts and pants sets, bathing suits and hats. But we mostly make dresses; those are my go-to pieces for my customers. And the different styles are dependent on the desires of my clientele. They will either come to me with their ideas or we will pick up a style by accident,” Hendricks told Living.
As a child, she would stage her own fashion shows, mixing pieces from her mother’s, brother’s, and aunty’s wardrobes. “This early memory of fashion that stood out to me was growing up in the ‘90s. I’ve always paid attention to details. At a young age, I had to pick my own clothes. And even from those times, at eight or nine years old, I’ve always had a sense of how I wanted to express myself through fashion; a girly vibe with a tomboy edge,” she shared.
She went on to note that fashion forms art, and art is a beautiful way of expressing oneself. “In the same way a person can go into your home and get to know you, style defines who you are. Fashion is just a way of expressing yourself, showcasing your personality without having to really speak,” she added.
As her own style shifted toward clean lines and neutral tones, she found joy in helping others embrace bold, stylish looks. “I could look at a person and tell what clothing would accentuate that body,” said Hendricks. She brought that design dream to life when her sister-in-law introduced her to the art of crochet making.
“Years ago, my sister-in-law went to take some crochet classes. I was over at their house one Christmas Eve, and she decided to show me what she had learned. She gave me a needle, and she gave me a ball of yarn, and she showed me just a basic stitch. My father and my grandmother used to crochet, so it came naturally to me,” the designer revealed.
Since embarking on her journey in 2021, the crocheter is excited to ‘tun har han’ mek fashion’ or make a fashionable turnaround with yarn. “Business has been good. I get to meet a lot of interesting people. And I get to do something that I love. When my clients are happy with the piece I’ve created, it makes me feel great,” she said.
With a turnaround time of two weeks, a deposit beforehand is required to secure each order. And the designer’s favourite part of the design process is the end result, “When the garment is finished and I get to put it on the mannequin, or I get to put it on the rack, and I get to finally see it, that’s everything for me. Also, when I say your piece is completed, I send the piece to the customer, and they say, ‘Oh, I love it’. That’s the best part,” Hendricks shared.
She listed time as her biggest obstacle, but she makes up for what is lost with premium quality, managing her schedule, and effectively communicating with her clients should any hiccups arise. “I also love perfume. I’m a lover of perfume. So, as a perfume lover, I will spray some on each piece. That quality sweet scent hits you the moment you open your package.”
She hopes to see her design in stores, and has big plans to expand her business and provide employment for others, “That way, persons can learn the trade and provide food for their families,” she said.
Hendricks recommends that aspiring designers start the journey by getting creative and marketing themselves via social media. “Just start. If you’re into fashion, make stuff for yourself. Wear them and post on social media. Put it out there in the description that you designed this piece,” she added.