by Haley Herfurth
From designing clothes worn by celebrities to appearing on hit TV shows, University of Alabama graduates are taking the fashion world by storm.
Lauren Leonard
You can see Lauren Leonard’s designs on notables like Taylor Swift and Giuliana Rancic, and in TV shows like Gossip Girl and 90210. But Leonard, ’06, is just a Southern belle at heart, who grew up drawing and discovering her love for creating beauty. She said she gathers inspiration from music, art and the changing seasons. Leonard, who earned a degree in apparel and textiles, was asked to design gameday dresses by the Shirt Shop, a local Tuscaloosa business. The collection was so successful that she created her own clothing line—Leona by Lauren Leonard. She traversed across the Southeast to show her line to specialty boutiques and gain accounts, and set up her own website. She now sells to approximately 130 retailers nationally and internationally. “The greatest thing I could possibly ask for is to have a company where I can support my employees and be able to do what I love,” she said.
Leonard said her company is striving to grow, both in this country and abroad, and to establish flagship stores. She also has big plans for expanding the collection. “For Spring 2012, we are launching Leona bridesmaids dresses and totes, and expanding our swim collection,” she said. While she considered transferring to an art school during her time at UA, Leonard said she couldn’t be more pleased that she chose to stay at the Capstone. “I’m glad I was given the opportunity to take classes where we focused on more than just the craft of designing,” she said. “It helps you to stay grounded, not being in one of the major design schools. I think that it sets you apart. I have no regrets; it was a great choice.” Her designs can be found at http://leonacollection.com.
Brent Howell
Brent Howell, ’08, always envisioned himself with a career in his college major: real estate finance. However, after moving to Birmingham, Ala., and working for a year in that field, he decided to branch out in a big way. He started his own clothing line, called Southern Point Co. With a logo featuring a German shorthaired pointer, inspired by his own dog, Greyton, Howell sought to create a classic collection that would sell in high-end men’s retailers across the Southeast. “I was interested in very traditional clothing and timeless, simple patterns that will last until 10 years from now, not just one or two,” he said.
Howell spent time researching Vineyard Vines, a traditional clothing company founded in 1998, and said that watching them grow from a small to nationally known business made him wonder, “Why can’t I do that?” So he set out to give it a shot. “I started researching cotton and blends and started the line and playing with it, and it’s snowballed to where it is now,” he said. “It was all an idea; I never thought I’d act on it.” Southern Point, which celebrated its second anniversary on Aug. 2, is now sold in 130 stores in more than 15 states. Howell said he plans to increase the company’s variety in the near future. “We’re looking at expanding our lines to shorts and pants, and hope to have a women’s and kid’s line soon,” he said. His clothing can be found at http://southernpointco.com.
Smith Sinrod
Smith Sinrod, ’09, was always passionate about fabrics and bright colors. She progressed from choosing her own outfits as a child to graduating from the University with a degree in apparel design. After developing her talent for design in college, she decided to create her own clothing line. After graduation, she traveled to Thailand looking for ideas and business resources. She found them, and upon returning to the United States, she had a full collection in the making, called Smitten by Smith. She and an early partner, Collier Broadaway, ’09, opened 30 accounts on their own by traveling to stores to promote their designs. Three collections later, her design company, now called by Smith Inc., is still in full swing, and can be found in over 80 boutiques and online. In March 2010, by Smith Inc. rocked the runway at the Gen Art “Miami Fresh Faces in Fashion” show, and the line was featured on MTV’s The City in June 2010.
Sinrod said she owes much of her success to UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences, home of the apparel design program. “I learned everything I needed to know at UA to launch my line,” she said. “Of course, getting out there and doing it on your own teaches you along the way, but I could not have gotten started so quickly without the knowledge I gained during my time at UA.” Sinrod’s creations can be found at http://bysmithcollection.com.
Melissa Tabor
Selma, Ala., native Melissa Tabor, ’02, knew she wanted to work in fashion from the moment she set foot in an introduction to sewing class at UA, one of the first required courses for fashion merchandising majors. “As soon as I sat at the sewing machine, I was hooked,” Tabor said. During college, she completed internships with fashion industry icons Gucci and Oscar de la Renta. After graduating with her degree in fashion merchandising, Tabor continued her education at American InterContinental University–Atlanta, graduating in 2006 with a degree in design. Since starting her own line in 2006, she has received enthusiastic reviews of her designs and extensive press coverage. Tabor held her first fashion show on March 30, 2011, during Nashville’s Fashion Week. She was invited to showcase her work with notable designers such as Betsey Johnson and Project Runway’s fourth season winner, Christian Siriano.
“As I watch this little collection of mine evolve and take real shape, I have learned to just keep rolling with wherever it leads me,” she said. “With the Internet being such a huge asset to this business, the sky really is the limit, and I plan to go as far as it will take me. I would love to one day have a shop in the area [Nashville]. That is the ultimate goal. But I bet even that will change in time. All I know for certain is that I am excited to see where it leads.” Samples of Tabor’s designs are online at http://melissatabor.com.
Amanda Perna
Amanda Perna, ’08, is set to make her mark on the fashion world in her own way. Her college career included designing her own clothing line, Couture Chaos, and receiving the Henrietta Thompson Fashion Achievement Award. From there, she got a job right after graduation as an assistant designer for Calvin Klein in New York. She was also thrust into the limelight on Lifetime’s reality competition Project Runway, when its ninth season premiered in July 2011. Perna is the second UA graduate to compete on the TV series—Anthony Williams, ’07, was part of its eighth season in 2010. Perna’s stay on the show was short-lived. She was eliminated during the first episode, which aired on July 28, but she chooses to keep a positive outlook on the situation. “My experience on Project Runway has enabled me to reach an audience that I may not have been able to reach at this point in my life otherwise,” she said.
Perna is moving forward in other areas of the fashion industry. Though she is still working with Calvin Klein, she plans to one day concentrate full time on her own clothing brand, and would like to serve as an example to up-and-coming designers. “I plan to create a more beautiful world, one garment at a time,” Perna said. “I plan to work for my own label, and be in a position to give back to those who have helped me achieve my goals, as well as those who are less fortunate. At some point in my life, I would also like to be a mentor to other aspiring designers, and help them realize all that they are capable of.” Samples of her designs are posted at http://www.amandaperna.com.