At just 26 years old, Abigail “Abby” Silverio—the founder and designer behind SEV by Abigail Silverio—is carving her own lane in an industry long dominated by men. Known for her made-to-order luxury furs under the label SEV Furtique (her “fur boutique”), Abby is setting new standards of versatility, accessibility, and craftsmanship.
From Harlem Roots to High Fashion
Born in Yonkers and raised in Harlem since the age of five, Abby grew up surrounded by style. As a teenager, she admired the glamour of fur but couldn’t afford it, clocking hours at McDonald’s on 34th Street while dreaming of one day wearing the pieces she saw on New York streets.
As a first-generation Dominican American from a hardworking immigrant family, Abby originally pursued a career in the medical field. But a trip to Europe with her mother and stepfather introduced her to fur vendors, textures, and dyeing techniques, sparking a passion she couldn’t ignore.
Her breakthrough came after she designed her first knee-length fox coat with a detachable hood. She wore it everywhere, drawing compliments until one woman literally offered to buy it off her back. That moment pushed her to officially launch SEV by Abigail Silverio in 2020.
Building SEV, Piece by Piece
Launching a brand was a leap of faith. Abby juggled her studies, long hours in the medical field, and late nights teaching herself web design on YouTube. With no major team—just her mom as manager, occasional family help, and a part-time assistant—she pushed SEV into the fashion world.
In just five years, SEV has grown beyond New York, attracting buyers in Switzerland, Paris, and across the U.S. Abby prides herself on delivering timeless, elegant, and accessible furs that can last a decade or more. “When you think of fur, I want you to think of SEV,” she says.
Her quality standards are uncompromising: she personally tests each piece for shedding, color, and durability. “A lot of brands got lazy with production,” she explains. “I make sure my clients get a true luxury experience without sacrificing quality.”
Holding Her Own in a Male-Dominated Industry
In a field where names like Daniel’s Leather and Duckie Confetti have long reigned, Abby stands out as one of the few Latina women designing luxury fur. “It can be intimidating but also motivating,” she says. “I respect the legends, but they’ve got a new girl in town.”
She hasn’t faced much gender-based pushback, but she has dealt with criticism for working with real fur. Some shows have declined to feature her pieces, and she doesn’t shy away from the conversations. At a show in Bogotá, for instance, a man questioned her use of fur while wearing a leather belt and shoes. Abby recalls: “I asked him how it feels to ask me that question when you’re wearing leather. He turned red and walked away.” Her poise in that moment left even the interviewer stunned.
Inspirations & Design Philosophy
Abby’s creativity flows from her travels, conversations, and everyday encounters—a purse spotted on the street, a scene in a film, a memory of her grandmother’s era. She reimagines archival influences in fresh, modern silhouettes.
Her rule is simple: if she wouldn’t wear it, she won’t make it. “I never want to force a design,” she says. “It has to feel natural.”
Her brand centers on versatility and inclusivity. She envisions her pieces as wearable anywhere, never overly flashy but always luxurious. “I want my coats and designs to speak for themselves,” she says.
Milestones & Memories
Among SEV’s proudest moments: being featured in Vogue Mexico and staging a show during New York Fashion Week. Abby chose not to publicize those achievements immediately, instead savoring them privately before eventually sharing them with her audience.
“I believe in taking in the moment and cherishing what’s close to you,” she says. “Not everything needs to be shared right away.”
Looking Ahead: NYC Furtique
Though SEV is still young, Abby dreams big: opening her own Furtique in New York, expanding to Paris, and seeing her designs carried by Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Macy’s. She’s also preparing a men’s collection, while staying rooted in her brand’s core: timeless, stylish, and accessible luxury.
Her advice to other women breaking into male-dominated industries is clear: “Enjoy the journey, not just the end result. The highs, the lows, the stagnancy—it’s all part of building character. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be fun anymore.”
From Harlem girl with big dreams to designer reshaping the perception of fur, Abby Silverio is proving that passion, persistence, and pride in one’s craft can rewrite the rules of an industry. As she confidently says, “When you think of fur, you’ll think of SEV.”
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