Author: Sophorn Kuoy

Memphis Fashion Week’s 2015 Emerging Memphis Designers

Post author By Sophorn Kuoy
Post date March 12, 2015

This year’s selection of emerging Memphis designers presented by Memphis Fashion Week

On Friday, March 27th, these 10 designers will present their custom designs at this year’s Memphis Fashion Week (MFW), after months of designing and crafting for that significant moment – a chance to share their hard work with the Memphis fashion community. The experience will also help them explore their craft and even shape how they see their future in fashion.

“The designers this year have a very clear vision of their design aesthetic, which has been fun to see brought to life through fabric and construction,” says MFW Director Abby Phillips about the designers mentored through this year’s Emerging Memphis Designer Project (EMDP).

Proceeds from Memphis Fashion Week support this project by giving the selected designers the funds for materials and the one-on-one mentoring needed to navigate that process of bringing their vision to life. Here, each designer stands with a model wearing their spring/summer piece created specifically for this year’s runway.

The night of the show, the EMDP designs will be judged partially by a panel of judges and partially by Audience Choice. The judges will be designer Pat Kerr, musician Grace Askew, and costumer Bruce Bui. First place winners for the Singles and Mini Collections each receive a scholarship to the Continuing Education Fashion Design classes at Memphis College of Art, a gift card to online retailer Spoonflower to create custom-printed fabrics, and an automatic acceptance into the EMDP next year. Second place will receive a $50 gift card to online retailer Spoonflower to create custom-printed fabrics.

“Memphis Fashion Week is a wonderful opportunity for emerging and established industry professionals to share their creative insight, connect with other talented individuals,” says EMDP designer Maggie Dandridge. “It serves as a springboard for catapulting Memphis into mainstream fashion.”

MAGGIE DANDRIDGE

Years designing: 7
Occupation: Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur
Inspirations: My faith, people, and music.
Fabrics/textiles used: Poly-spandex blend, mesh, and woven spandex blend.
Memphis fashion has evolved from the Southern traditions that have shaped our style and creative influence.

CIERRA WILSON
Years designing: 7
Occupation: IT Help Desk Technician\Struggling Designer
My collection is a combination of a love for modern comfort, design, technology, and the fairy princess in everyone.
Fabrics/textiles used: Jersey knit fabrics, emerald green and white, 4-way stretch cream lace, stretch sangria purple chiffon, and metallic silver, green and gold threads.
Favorite local boutique: K’PreSha Boutique
Memphis fashion is whatever we say it is.

LINDSAY CHASTAIN

Years designing: 1 -1/2
Proudest accomplishment: Winning 3rd place in the 2014 Memphis City Beautiful Trashion Show.
Where did you learn design: My mom taught me sewing basics, but the rest is self-taught.
Fabrics/textiles used: Nylon lycra, chiffon, and satin.
My collection is graceful.

TIENA GWIN

Years designing: 4
Occupation: Real Estate Development/Project Management
Favorite local boutique: Muse and Hoot & Louise.
Memphis Fashion Week is very much needed.
Proudest accomplishment: My daughters
Inspirations: Nature and Old Hollywood
Fabrics/textiles used: Sateen cotton, rayon/poly blend.

CLARA SEIGLER

Years designing: 6
Occupation: Student
Fashion indulgence: Embellishments and leather
Memphis Fashion Week is an amazing opportunity for the growing fashion community in Memphis.
My collection is all about the details.
Fabrics/textiles used: Laser-cut leather, silk chiffon, stretch taffeta.

MEREDITH OLINGER

Years designing: 26
Occupation: Artist, Instructor at the Pink Palace
Where did you learn design: My dad and most recently the Memphis College of Art Continuing Ed Fashion Design Class by MFW.
My collection is elegant but easy, with a nod to traditional crafts.
Inspirations: My biggest inspiration is Memphis itself – its people, places, culture, and uniqueness.
Fabrics/textiles used: Handwoven textiles, handmade twine, yarn, beading, hand-dyed linen.

ADRIAN DUKE

Years designing: 4
Proudest accomplishment: Graduating from University of Memphis
Fashion indulgence: One-of-a-kind garments and accessories.
Favorite local boutique: Sache
Inspirations: The Mad Max movie franchise, particularly Mad Max Fury Road
Fabrics/textiles used: Mix of linen, cotton, denim, twill and faux leather.

RACHEL ECHNOZ

Years designing: 22
Occupation: Attorney
My collection is classic with a modern twist.
Inspirations: Nature and architecture
Favorite local boutique: Sachi
Memphis fashion is classic Southern charm with a modern edge.
Fabrics/textiles used: Lace, wool suiting, and silk.

CAMILLA CURRAN

Years designing: 2
Occupation: Ballet Teacher
Proudest accomplishment: Walking the New York Fashion Week runway for designer Stevie Boi
My collection is elegant with clean lines and daring fabrics.
Fabrics/textiles used: Blue and pink jacquard for the jumpsuit and a fuchsia chiffon for the headwrap.

KATHRYN HEARD

Years designing: 2
Occupation: High school student
Memphis Fashion Week is an opportunity to experience fashion before I study it further. It has given me the freedom to explore a big-city industry in my own hometown.
My collection is an infusion of traditional Greek dress with modern influences
Inspirations: The laid-back atmosphere, architecture, and history of Mykonos, Greece.

Memphis Fashion Week is March 23rd-28th at various locations. For more details on the designers and all events, download the MFW app or visit them online at www.memphisfashionweek.org.
Tickets are on sale now.

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Shoot Location: Memphis Zoo. Models: Joe Schmulian, Peyton Couch, and Mckenzie Jones with AMAX Talent, and Jazzmine King. Hair and makeup by Faizah Husniyah. Sketches by EMDP designers.

Tags EMDP, Emerging Memphis Designer Project, Memphis Fashion Week

Style Sessions We Recommend

Inspiring Women of Style – What our T-shirts might say.

Post author By Sophorn Kuoy
Post date February 27, 2015

Earlier this year, I spoke at the New Year Inspirational Media Brunch organized by fellow blogger Tamera Sutton. I presented this photo of me, gazing optimistically, with a quote by Nelson Mandela.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”

The words cover me like a suit of armor. Hopeful words that could fight my fears. I flourished in those words and also realized they were meant to be shared and help others flourish. Words can be powerful and often imprinted on T-shirts to test their power. With all the graphic tees out there, I still wanted to design a few myself.

Design
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With the help of some inspiring women in Memphis, here are three other quotes as three imaginary t-shirt designs that personally keep them motivated.

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Alexandra Nicole – Stylist, Makeup Artist, Boutique Owner.

“I always say that. IF you do not live or accomplish your dreams then life is just mundane and without purpose.”

———————-

/3/

Augusta Campbell, Fashion Editor of Memphis Magazine.

She shares a quote from the fashion icon Coco Chanel.

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Melissa Sweazy – Filmmaker, Writer, and Photographer.

“I like this quote from Anne Lamott. Boiling down a larger quote on having confidence in your writing to this that applies to everyone – “Don’t look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance.”

———————-

What would your T-shirt say?

Credits: Photo of Sophorn by Dirk Olsen. T-shirt mockups, designs by Sophorn. Last image used as design background via Simon & Me; shirt by Simon & Me.

Tags Alexandra Nicole, Melissa Sweazy, motivational; Augusta Campbell, t-shirt designs, t-shirt mockup

Style Sessions We Recommend

Style Session with Designer Katherine DeLacey

Post author By Sophorn Kuoy
Post date January 30, 2015

“Why would you want to move to Memphis?!”

That’s the frequent question that perplexes Chicago native and recent New Orleans transplant Katherine DeLacey, who usually laughs it off.

Asked as a joke or not, there’s still curiosity in how Memphis is viewed by a newcomer, especially by one with a designer’s eye. Katherine is a graduate of Tulane University’s Master of Architecture program and now works as an architectural designer with Looney Ricks Kiss Architects.

“Memphis has great bones. Downtown Memphis has domineering buildings that could rival those of any American City. While the handsomeness of the city was instantly obvious, its dynamics were not. Memphis operates differently than the other cities I have lived in, it has a small town feeling in a big city, and that is extremely charming to me,” Katherine says of her first impression of the city.

A downtown resident of only five months, she has already been a part of one of the most anticipated redevelopment projects in Memphis – the Tennessee Brewery.

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“The Brewery is an opportunity to set up an anchor for South Main. South Main is wonderful as it is, but this will be the landmark that is talked about and desired,” she observes. While in the early stages of design, the conceptual plans and programming were recently disclosed — 142 residential units, a 280-space parking garage, and 8,000 square feet of commercial space.

There isn’t much more that can be revealed about the Brewery yet, but there are a few details that Katherine personally finds intriguing as a key design production member of the architectural project team.

“Within the Brewery, there are 58 units and 30 different unit types. While that makes our work more time consuming, there is something wonderful in providing potential tenants with so many options. To me, that’s a selling point. Not only do you live in the sexiest building in town, but within that building your unit is like no other. Also, some of the walls are 3 feet wide. I don’t know if that is interesting or not,” she says.

Why Architecture?

“My grandfather was an architect, and my mother was a graphic designer. She had a fascination with architecture and made a point out of bringing me to pretty much every Frank Lloyd Wright building open to the public when I was a kid. She guided my path towards the field and enjoyed every minute of it,” she says.

Beyond just the Brewery, Katherine sees lots of great assets in Memphis that might get dismissed. “What might surprise me the most about Memphis, in particular downtown, is that there are not more people here. Living in downtown Memphis has been incredibly convenient. I walk to work, walk to grab a bite to eat, and walk to bars. When friends visit from Chicago, they cannot believe how much I have at my disposal in walking distance and not in a polar vortex.”

Living in a downtown apartment with a large dog can feel a little cramped. She pulls out a photo and remarks that he’s bigger than me. “I would love to see a great dog park downtown since they are such a pleasant way to meet your neighbors and spend time outside. There is this dog park in Dallas called Dallas’ Mutts Cantina that allows people to grab drinks and eat while watching their dog play. Something like that would be amazing and create a fabulous energy.”

An Understated Style
Bag and Coat, Zara / Shirt, SWABY – Shernett Swaby / Shoes, UAL (United Apparel Liquidators) in New Orleans

The all-black modern attire may scream architect or at least someone in the design field, but there’s more to Katherine’s view of style that her clothes can’t say for her.

“I was raised as a bargain hunter. My mom taught me to see potential in the rejects on the sale rack. I think that relates to my interest in architecture. It gives me pride to think that I can imagine what a reject could look like, or what could accompany it to make it work. I love the classics, especially when they have been rethought in a subtle modern way. To me, that is more interesting than something that is ‘in-style’ or a brand new building. I can always do without a bad trendy print.

“About one-third of my wardrobe is from thrift stores or consignment stores, one-third from stores like Zara, and the other one-third is from my Grandma, Grandpa’s, or mother’s closet. Yes, I wear my grandpas old clothes. I love wearing grandpa’s old raggedy silk shirt with crisp black skinny jeans.”

Tags Looney Ricks Kiss, Tennessee Brewery

Style Sessions We Recommend

A New Look for Memphis Fashion Week – The MFW Logo and Its Fashion Counterparts

Post author By Sophorn Kuoy
Post date January 23, 2015

Memphis Fashion Weekend launched in 2012, testing the waters of the Memphis fashion scene as a two-day engagement.

Over the last three years, the event has gained momentum, and this year, it officially transitions into Memphis Fashion Week.

With this move comes a new logo, created by local firm Inferno.

When selecting the shape of the logo mark, creative director Michael Overton sought a modular element that could build upon itself and thus feel kinetic, which helps communicate “how broad fashion is.”

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In the intentionally incomplete letterforms, the logo represents fashion “as a creative act, trying to reach a complete form,” suggests Michael. They hope the design will be used for years to come and still lend itself to be flexible across various uses and still be cohesive.

To strengthen the argument that the hexagon was the right choice for this fashion driven logo, I’ve collected a few already coveted accessories that use the hexagon, bold as a stand-alone shape and functional as it easily tessellates into a honeycomb pattern. I look forward to wearing my gold hexagon hoops to this year’s fashion week.

1. Ring – Gabriela Artigas 2. Chanel Purse 3. Hoop Earrings – Anthropologie 4. Handmade Necklace – Sparkle Farm / Image source via links above.

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Memphis Fashion Week 2015
March 23 – 28, 2015

Model Casting
February 13th, 2015, 4-6:30 pm
Ballet Memphis, 7950 Trinity Rd

Below is the graphic ad created by Inferno for the Emerging Memphis Designer Project to show of the shape’s design uses. Stay tuned for more on the designers selected this year.

Tags EMDP, Inferno, Memphis Fashion Week

Style Sessions We Recommend

Style Session – Tamera Sutton of Tamera’s Closet Lifestyle Blog

Post author By Sophorn Kuoy
Post date January 16, 2015

A quick look at Tamera Sutton’s blog Tamara’ Closet will have you gushing over her latest handbag obsessions or admiring the emerging style icons.

Dedicated readers recognize that Sutton thrives when sharing her reflective posts to inspire a better life. The type of inspiration that permeates much deeper. Deep into the soul, as she would describe it, calling her almost-weekly series “Soulful Sunday.”

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Tamera is a Memphis native, alumni of the University of Memphis and recently earned an MBA degree from Strayer University. Her interest in the blog world though started around 2006.

“The first blog I read was www.ybf.blogspot.com back when it was a blogspot. Now The YBF is a million dollar website. Seeing how Natasha Eubanks and other bloggers succeed inspired me to follow my passion for writing,” says Tamera. “In December of 2013, I started Tamera’s Closet. I wanted a lifestyle blog where I could show my love for entertainment, fashion, and food.”

Reaching out further than just through her lifestyle blog, Tamera plans to host several inspirational events throughout the year, including the New Year Inspirational Media Brunch next Saturday. It gives a chance for bloggers, media personalities, and twitter friends to interact in person. Social media becomes social the traditional way.

“I have some great experienced speakers lined up for my media event. I hope that all of my guests are able to take to some helpful information from them, get inspired, network, meet new friends, enjoy the food, and most importantly have fun,” she says.

Showing up is the easy part. Picking out what to wear may be little harder.

For her personal style, she’s drawn to signatures pieces and more of a modern look.

“Every woman should have a cute black dress,” says Tamera, when asked about closet staples. “A black dress is a very classic item. You can dress it up or dress it down.”

To the readers out there, her style advice is to “play your strengths.”: “Is there something people compliment you on? Whether it’s your toned back or your hourglass figure, wearing clothes that play up your best assets always looks stylish, no matter what is currently trendy.”

Outfit Details
Top, bolero, and skirt – Alter Ego Fashions.
Purse and shoes – Aldo.

Event Details
New Year Inspirational Media Brunch
Guest speakers include FM 100 Radio personality Michelle Lewis, Inspirational Speaker and author Megan Mottley, PR Consultant TJ Jefferson, and yours truly.

January 24th, 2015, 11am-2pm
Racquet Club, 5111 Sanderlin Avenue, Memphis
Tickets – $5 includes food.
Register here: www.mediabrunch.eventbrite.com
Sponsorship opportunities still available:
Email Tamera at tamerascloset@gmail.com

Special Thanks to The Attic for the shoot location.