The highlight will be on emerging designers from MFW’s Emerging Memphis Designer Project (EMDP). This project was started in the second year of MFW and has continued to be successful, ensuring that new designers’ ideas make it from the sketch pad to the runway.
Thirteen emerging designers will have their designs featured on the runway this year. All are local and range in age from 17 to 60. These designers work with University of Memphis professor of fashion design Sonin Myatt for seven months. From concept to runway and everything in between, designers are mentored during this time. “We are so lucky to have Sonin Myatt to mentor our emerging designers,” says Abby Phillips, MFW founder and executive director of Arrow Creative. “What she has done by moving the fashion department at U of M to the art department has been incredible for fashion in Memphis.”
All emerging designers apply through an application process and enter one of three divisions — Singles: one to three garments; Mini Collection: five garments as part of a matching collection; and Teen: garments designed by an Overton High School student this year.
While the highlight is on EMDP, Phillips also has other surprises in store. “Thursday we will have a creative class, and Friday a pop-up fashion night out,” she says. “And don’t forget the tour of our new location on the 25th. This year is going to be exciting.”
Memphis Fashion Week, various locations, memphisfashionweek.com, Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 25-27, $60-$150.