Amari Moneé is a current junior at SCAD Atlanta studying fashion design. She has recently achieved an incredible milestone: her most recent collection will debut at Paris Fashion Week in Spring 2022. I enjoyed sitting down with Amari and getting to know more about who she is as a designer and hearing her inspiring story of how life has guided her to where she is today.
What started your love for fashion?
My great-grandmother was always a fashionista, and I remember her elaborate wardrobe from when I was three years old. My grandmother also always sewed her garments, and my aunt used to be a fashion model. I was attached to my aunt’s hip, so I got to see her fashion model career in action.
How and why did you end up at SCAD ATL?
SCAD felt personal to me, and I had always wanted to explore Atlanta. My time at Savannah Arts Academy only assured me of my future at an art university.
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome since starting?
I faced internal challenges maintaining my mental and emotional health while going to art school, but I am learning to find balance every day.
What inspired your Fall/Winter ’22 collection?
It started coming to life in my Fashion Illustration class. My professor really pushed me to believe in myself. I had a historical-figure research project, which is where I found a lot of inspiration. For example, I did a project on the Garden of Eden. Faith is super important to me, so I wanted to bring a modern approach to that. I decided that if Eve was in the modern world, she would be inspired by old Hollywood and black designers. Sort of all revolving around the idea of modern-day glamor.
How did it feel when you were told your collection was going to be in Paris Fashion Week and were featured in NYFW?
I am completely over the moon and initially in shock. I couldn’t process what was happening until the show was over. I had always wanted to be a fashion designer as a child, and now it’s actually happening! It honestly still hasn’t sunk in. I only had three weeks to get the collection done for NYFW, and it was in the middle of the winter quarter. I struggled with balancing this opportunity of a lifetime and my school work. My professors were super helpful and gave me critiques throughout my design process. The actual show felt very surreal, especially getting to work hands-on with the models. In fact, I got to work with Cory Wade Hindorf from America’s Next Top Model. I knew exactly which piece each model would wear as soon as I met them.
Tell us about the collection. What was your design process like?
I am a very textile-based designer. I love the colors and textures of fabrics and have always considered how they will translate onto the final piece. I ultimately had to think, “what is going to translate a modern-day version of my historical theme?” It must be cohesive and fresh yet still connect back to the theme.
What advice do you have for aspiring SCAD designers?
Nothing great comes without sacrifice. People are too used to instant results and gratification when it is normal to be put down and get back up again. Patience and diligence are key.
What goals do you have for your future?
After my collection debuts, my senior year will be right around the corner. I want to create the best senior collection I possibly can and will spend the summer planning. After graduation, I hope to move to New York City and hopefully work for a fashion house or fashion magazine. An ambitious goal is always to keep a list of models in my head that I would love to style for one day, such as Lupita Nyong’o. The sky’s the limit, so that I will push my boundaries throughout my career.
Thank you so much to Amari for sitting down with me and sharing your story. Everyone here in the SCAD community is so proud of you, and we can’t wait to see your collection debut and what your future holds.
Words by Amanda Applebaum.
Graphic by Fai McCurdy.