Author: Andrea Fenise

In celebrating the 200th year of our great city of Memphis, we are both redesigning and telling a new narrative of Memphis. Birthed from the soul of her heart, the sounds of her music, and nurtured by her food, there is a new generation of influencers telling new stories of forward movement and new energy in fashion, art, and lifestyle in our city. We captured their style and learned more about how they are using their fashionable influence to continue moving Memphis into a positive direction, stylishly.

Photographs by Andrea Fenise

Carmeon

“I grew up on the other side of the Hernando de Soto bridge in West Memphis, Arkansas. It was so close, yet so far away, so experiencing Memphis as an adult and creative professional, I now see that Memphis stretches so far beyond the Beale Street, Elvis, barbecue persona that is used to describe her. She has been home to me for almost seven years; it still seems that I discover something new, exciting, and soulful every day. A new art gallery being installed at Crosstown. New design-driven boutique hotels with amazing rooftop patios and restaurants boasting Southern fusion cuisine opening in the heart of Downtown. Each one bringing a new vibe, a new experience, and another excuse for a grand, social soiree. These make the perfect platforms for fashion-conscious souls, like myself, and inspire freedom in personal style that only a dynamic cultural environment can nurture and produce.

“Memphis is soulful but uncomplicated, bold but not loud, dynamic but approachable and never ‘trying too hard.’ As am I and the fashion scene that she has birthed. We all love a good jean and T-shirt, but just know that it comes with a statement and the unexpected. Because that’s our city. That’s Memphis.” – @nubiinterior

WARDROBE CREDIT

Both looks, everything from Indigo at The Shops of Saddle Creek

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DENZEL

“Memphis culture is one of the most unrecognized treasures in this country. It’s full of art, passion, and diversity, which I love to implement into my style, like pairing Choose 901 tees with suits. The culture of the city allows me to bring a piece of home with me through fashion, and it’s exciting. It gives me the platform to show the guys of Memphis how to keep the 901 in your style while bringing in fresh brands like CockPit USA and Allen Edmonds.” – @denzeljalexander

WARDROBE CREDIT

Look 1 – Camo Look Allen Edmonds at The Shops of Saddle Creek

bag and shoes

Look 2 – Navy CockPit USA bomber jacket

Allen Edmonds grey suede sneakers, reader glasses, bag

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EBONY & CORESA

“We came to Memphis for reasons outside of the arts (job opportunities and college), but once we got here, we begin to gravitate toward how vibrant of a community was blooming here — especially for artists and creatives of color. Memphis is a city where you feel you can jump right in and get things done, not just to ‘give back,’ but to move barriers so our communities have access to the resources they deserve.

“We met three years ago through our shared love of style, or as we call it, ‘creative expression.’ We both recognized the power in dressing our bodies as an avenue of empowerment and from that I risk connection, we spent the next two years traveling nationally, and internationally to creative experiences and exhibits.

“Still, it wasn’t until this time last year that we decided to team up and ideate on how to fuse the arts and entrepreneurship. That’s when MEMFOLK was born, capturing urban folklore in unimaginable ways.”

– @coco_nanh & @savvysunflower_ for @memfolk

WARDROBE CREDIT

Look 1 in front of greenery

Ebony – leather jacket, dress, and shoes Indigo at The Shops of Saddle Creek

Coresa – blazer, blouse, and purse Indigo at The Shops of Saddle Creek

Look 2 in front of brick and mint door for both – models’ own

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KIM

“As a born and raised Memphian, it’s been delightful to watch the political and creative communities, like the fashion community, work together to shift the narrative of our city beyond barbecue, blues, and Elvis over the last few years. While those things are undeniably ingrained in our DNA and should be celebrated, Memphis is so much more than that, and you can see it when you look at the way that people dress, the restaurants and small businesses that open, and how the artists and musicians move. This growth has allowed me to use my own personal platform as a fashion blogger to showcase a different side of Memphis to outsiders, and people love it. She still has her small town comfortability, but Memphis has grown, and people are loving how cool she is.” – @kpfusion

WARDROBE CREDIT

Look 1 (leather jacket and pleated skirt) – model’s own

Look 2 – blouse, jeans, accessories Indigo at The Shops of Saddle Creek

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BRITTANY

“A top executive of a leading direct sales cosmetic brand, coaching women across the globe to start their own business and go after what they want. After bringing LimeLife by Alcone to Memphis two years ago, I decided it was time to begin sharing my love of fashion and style through Memphis Fashion Week and through my life, style, and beauty blog, brittanymyerscobb.com, where I share my love of fashion, style, home decor, makeup, food, travel, and everything in between.

“As for my style, it’s a bit like my personality. I go for timeless, classic pieces paired with something bold. Traditional with a little bit of edge.”

– @brittanymyerscobb

WARDROBE CREDIT

Look 1 (orange dress) – model’s own

Look 2 – accessories from Indigo at The Shops of Saddle Creek; dress model’s own