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.

​

Applications close January 31st, 2023 for a May 2023 event