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 EMDP liaison Sonin Myatt and her team, works with selected designers through a seven 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.
Each fall a call is issued for sketches . Designers must present new designs for Spring/Summer and should have sales less than $50,000/year 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. EMDP 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.
Alumni Designers
2021:
Alexanda Filipovich
Ashley Earle
Grace Meeks
Isabella Fiori
J'Kiera
Jasmine Adams
Jaycedas Murphy
Jayla Slater
Jorja Hatcher
Joseline Balderrama
Kelsey Dennis
La Keisha Jackson
Lakyria Williams
Lauren Denton
LINA COUTURE
Moudester Tigue
Rylie Furlong
Saratou Kane
Vince Long
2020:
Megan Partee
Signature Struts
Stem and Sail
StrikFast Sportswear
Jay Dionn
Marcillago Clothing
Grace and Truth Threads
Antzee Magruder
Meghana Madasu
Fruition and Found
Cayla Roach
Jorja Hatcher
Style by L. Thomas
Kira
Rainah Jamean
SAHARI
John Durden
Mitcham Veteto Studio
Grace Siler Designs
Emerald Mune
Moudester Tigue
Sarah
Rachel McCasky
Avianne Dominique
LINA COUTURE
Love is a Social Construct
Isabella Fiori
LSJKollection
Klothed 3:1
E'riel Seaberry
Vin Milaje
Fatia Sada
Purpcism
PMB
2019:
Teen Collections
Aggie Muller
Emerson White
Trinity Rogers
Jayla Dionn Slater
Kira Cunningham
Symiah Saulsberry-Winner
Single Designs
Jeanye Lewis
Avianne Robinson
Breanna Mansel
Lakeisha Jackson
K. Nicole Covington
Erik Lawriski
Jo Carol Harris
Patrice Muncel Shaw-Brunson
Maegan Partee
Erica Buckley
E'riel Sade Seaberry
Jeannie La Bate
Trakeia Williams-Winner
Lauren Denton
Lacy Mitcham Veteto
Rylie Furlong
Morgan Burns
Jalicia Owens
DeVario Looney
Dyneesha Bradley
Kaylah Kinney
John Durden
Mini Collections
Jessie L. Woodson-Winner
Antzee Magruder
2018:
Teen Collections
Moziah Bridges
Gabrielle Smith
Jayla Slater
Erik Lawriski
Single Designs
Tonya Tate
Jalicia Owens
Meredith Olinger
Avianne Robinson
Heather Oles
Katarina Guenther
Kolby Covington
Lindsey Widick
Mini Collections
Casey Beck
Danielle Pierce
2017:
Teen Collections
Gabrielle Smith
Jayla Slater
Meggy Muller
Kolby Covington
Avianne Robinson
Single Designs
Madison Sessions
Khasi McDaniel
Pamela Saavedra
Lindsey Widick
Laurel Amatangelo
Lauren Jeu
Heidi Newsom
Casey Beck
Jennifer McNeil
Jennifer Williams
Lindsay Chastain
Mini Collections
Mary Ambrose
Zoe Vu
2016:
Single Designs
Meggy muller
Rachel Echnoz
Casey Beck
Zoe Vu
Dara Branson
Shakia Couch
Lindsay Chastain
Lindsey Widick
Denise Beckett
Avianne Robinson
Kathryn Heard
Christina Dang
Terial Lee
Meredith Olinger
Mini Collections
Mary Ambrose
Tara Skelley
Andrea Fenise
Tiena Gwin
2015:
Single Designs
Lindsay Chastain
Maggie Dandridge
Meredith Olinger
Cierra Wilson
Kathryn Heard
Camilla Curran
Rachel Echnoz
Mini Collections
Adrian Duke
Clara Seigler
Tiena Gwin
2014:
Single Designs
Clara Seigler
Michael Lopez
Princess Adams
Caitlyn Hay
Nicholas Adrian Hall
Kathryn Heard/Allie Buckmaster
Jalona Falkner
Donna Hathaway
Star Hawks
Meg Saunders
Molly Doan
Andrea Whitehead
Heidi Newsom
Mini Collections
Sarah Hascher-Nowlin
Laurel Amatangelo
Tara Skelley
2013:
Single Designs
Dina Anderson
Megan Travis Carr
Nick Adrian Hall and Aharon Thomas
Elizabeth Crider
Najee Strickland
Terial Lee
Brittany Jones
Regina Dickerson
Karen Krog
Molly Doan
Mari Givens
Sara Hascher
Madison Miller
Mini Collections
Star Hawks
Tara Skelley