Memphis Fashion Week has earned itself a household name as an annual fashionable event where art meets design for seasoned and up-and-coming artists alike.
Budding fashion designers gear up each year for the Emerging Memphis Designer Project, a program initiated to ensure new designers’ ideas make it from the sketchpad to the Runway, created by Memphis Fashion Week and financially supported by its parent company, Arrow Creative. The Emerging Memphis Designer Project was built out of a need in the Memphis community for local emerging designers to present their pieces to a wider audience.
Memphis Fashion Week and Emerging Memphis Designer Project liaison, Sonin Myatt, a professional designer and fashion design professor at University of Memphis, and her team, work with selected designers through a five-month process to educate and promote local designs. At the end of the process, Memphis Fashion Week hopes to see the designers grow their skills, promote their businesses, and enhance the design industry in Memphis.
We are so proud of our emerging designers’ success and have enjoyed watching them over the past five months bring their garments to life,” said Abby Phillips, co-founder and executive director of Arrow Creative, and creator of Memphis Fashion Week's Emerging Memphis Designer Project.
The new fashion collections were exhibited and worn by professional models during this year’s fresh take on a pop-up Runway-style showcase.
Earlier this year, a call was issued for sketches where designers had to present new designs for Spring/Summer looks. To qualify for the Emerging Memphis Designer Project, designers must have sales less than $50,000 annually as a fashion designer. Selected designers have approximately six months to make their designs Runway-ready by selecting fabrics, creating patterns, sewing their pieces, and fitting models.
Finally, they present designs on the Runway with professional models, hair, and makeup. Emerging Memphis Designer Project showcases Teen Collections, Single Designs, Mini Collections, and new this year, Avant Garde from more than 30 emerging Memphis designers. Collections are judged by local fashion insiders and winners receive a partial scholarship to Arrow Community Education classes, cash prizes, and a membership to Arrow Creative.
Piper Jamerson
Memphis Fashion Week
Piper Jamerson (middle) with MFW models.
Local fashion designer and Harding Academy freshman, Piper Jamerson, received the honor of the Emerging Memphis Designer Project Teen Division Award for her designs presented at Memphis Fashion Week.
Piper was a designer already in the making, growing up watching her mom and grandma make clothing, especially for her. At age nine, she began taking sewing lessons at a summer camp, where she quickly learned how to perfect her skills. Needless to say, several years into her mastery, Piper began designing and sewing her outfits for church and plays and asked herself the question, “how can I grow this?” She executes everything on her own from concept to finish - planning, sketching, fabric selections, sewing, etc. Piper has been inspired to create a variety of sewing projects such as pillows, embroidery, and has even designed homecoming dresses for teen girls. “I love commissioned work when it comes to fashion design, because I am able to bring other people’s creativity to life,” said Piper.
Piper’s sewing teacher, Jill Hatcher, owner of The Stitch School, encouraged her to participate in Memphis Fashion Week and would later become her mentor and advisor to help keep her projects on track. After being accepted to participate as a teen designer in the Emerging Memphis Designer Project, she was committed to the charge of making two custom pieces to showcase during the event. “It is always exciting to see our local emerging designers in the teen division,” said Phillips. “They are put into the mix with seasoned designers and are really given the chance to grow. This year was no different. Piper created two stunning garments that showcased her creativity and talent.”
Piper’s mom, Maggie Jamerson, expressed:
Piper surpassed me in her sewing skills when she finished Beginner 1 with Ms. Jill. She was nine years old. I am surprised and impressed every time she makes something. Her perseverance and dedication to design, create, start, re-start and finish a project makes me so proud of her. She has already developed some important life skills and rejuvenated a lost art with her sewing. I’m just blessed to get a behind-the-scenes and front row seat on this journey!”
Piper continues a normal life of being a busy high schooler with sports practices, sewing classes, academic studies, school plays, all while pursuing her fashion dreams of becoming a full-time designer. In her spare time, she manages to pass on her skills by teaching sewing classes to young girls. To check out more looks from Piper's custom designs, visit her Instagram page: @ThePJProject.
Designers participating in this year's Emerging Memphis Designer Project:
- Teen Designer - Piper Jamerson
- Singles Designers - Ashlyn Davis, Lauren Denton, Kristy Fleming, Lola Johnson, Ivy Rose, Jayla Slater, and Moudester Tigue
- Mini Collection Designers - Marci Austin, Renata Bayazitova, Kelsey Hankins, Devario Looney, E'riel Seaberry, Trakeia Williams, and Mia Williamson
- Avant Garde Designers - Saratou Kane and Gabriel Rye
These local designers will join the ranks of over 100 past emerging designers over the last 11 years.
Arrow Creative, a non-profit organization, makes art accessible to inspire the creative spirit in all Memphians and is a premier source of creative entrepreneur enrichment, arts education, and art immersion for the entire community. To learn more about Arrow Creative, Memphis Fashion Week, artist residencies, summer camps, workshops, and more, visit arrowcreative.org.