Jewish influencer's new clothing brand goes viral on TikTok

She launched her brand the day before she went into pre-mature labor

A young Orthodox Jewish woman is going viral on Instagram and TikTok for her creation of a modest yet fashionable dress that’s cozy and cute enough for everyday wear.

Sophia — who goes by “SophiaTheJew”on Instagram — launched her brand See Rene Boutique the very day before she went into early labor, with her twins arriving at 25 weeks and 5 days, about 12 weeks premature.

“The day before the twins were born via emergency C section, we launched the See Rene summer collection,” Sophia tells me.

“So on top of going through probably the most difficult and terrifying moment in our lives,  I was trying to keep on top of the See Rene Summer fashion line” she adds.

As her newborns were watched over in the NICU, her community rallied behind her.

“When this happened immediately our community formed a prayer group and begun a meal train. Throughout the NICU journey and beyond our community prayed for our twins. Baruch Hashem our twins are now home and doing very well,” she adds.  

After her twins were born, she began working on what is now taking Instagram and Tiktok by storm: the Tehilla Maxi Dress. While she tells me she had a few prototypes, after tinkering with the design she settled on a dress with a black shirt panel and cosmic colored sleeves and skirt.

The purple, teal and yellow in the dress help make the dress pop, while remaining true to Sophia’s commitment to modesty.

“Our mission statement is modesty is beautiful. When we choose to dress modesty it’s not meant to hide ourselves but rather allow our innermost self to be seen. That is why our name is SEE Rene - because dressing modesty lets our souls be seen. And the logo is C-R as in my mothers initials, Chaya Rene” she added.

With at least three million views on her reels featuring the dress, Sophia hopes it creates more awareness and support for her brand. She is already tinkering away on clothing designs and mock-ups for newer dresses, thanking her husband, fellow fashion influencer Miriam Ezagui, and Hashem.

“I would like to thank my friend Miriam Ezagui, another Jewish influencer, who called me up and asked if she could share about See Rene,” Sophia adds.

“I remember being in tears because I was so overwhelmed…. this was incredibly helpful for me since I wasn’t in the mental space to adequately advertise after giving birth and my newborns going to the NICU” she said. 

Other dresses Sophia designed are also racking up views on social media. 

“I am a religious Jew so I believe my relationship with G-d is tremendously important. Without the Help of Hashem (G-d) See Rene would never exist.  I thank Hashem for all I have and will ever have. Hashem and his Torah are the foundation of all I am and do,” she says.

“When I am stuck and can’t think of new idea or I am overwhelmed or scared I turn to prayer and ask Hashem for assistance and guidance.”

In a clip that has been viewed more than 6 million times, Sophia takes us to Target, where she attempts to find modest clothes that fit her strict religious standards. She ultimately rated the store a 1 out of 10. 

Sophia’s Target trip underscores how modest clothing brands are quite useful for Orthodox Jewish women, particularly because unlike at Target, the goal of her fashion line is to meet a religious need that many young religious people struggle with.

Hi, I’m Toni Airaksinen, the author of this article, and you can find me on Twitter/X and Instagram. If you enjoyed this, consider subscribing to this Substack or Buy Me a Coffee with a small donation.