The Connector reaches out to Amari Moneé, a first year fashion student, on her business
Who is Amari and what work are you engaged in?
Amari Moneé is an African American woman who creates mesmerizing couture pieces for women. She is an ambivert, outgoing and goofy around her friends but overall, not a boisterous personality. She enjoys alone time and having moments to take a mental breather. Once or twice a week she will make sure to fit in a “self-care” day at home. Besides fashion she has a deep interest in art of all kinds: visual art, film, photography, etc. On a daily basis she listens to a mixture of worship music and R&B that ranges popular songs today all the way back to Stevie Wonder and the Gap Band.
What inspired you to make your stamp in the fashion industry?
My childhood had a major influence in as to why I decided to become a designer. Growing up I was extremely close with my aunt and during her high school, college, and post grad years she was a model. Oftentimes I would accompany her at shoots or her runway shows. My grandmother was always sewing something any time I went over to her house. I grew up watching “Project Runway” and seeing designers on their express so much ingenuity with fashion really triggered something within me.
What would you say is your strongest work so far/ what was it like to create it?
My strongest work so far was my collection “Reclaimed.” That collection was very personal for me and had a lot to do with my spiritual, mental, and emotional evolution. To create from such an authentic place is beautiful. I’m getting emotional just thinking back on it right now.
Do you credit anyone as inspiration for your work?
I don’t think I am ever inspired by one particular person, but my body of work as a whole is always inspired by women of color, my faith, and art. When I am creating I like to conceptualize something I feel connected to, so in one way or another I am always going to be inspired by the aforementioned factors.
If your workstation could describe you, what kind of person would it say you are?
My workstation would say that I am multifaceted and in love with my art.
What current platforms are your design concepts on?
All of my work can be seen via my Instagram or my website. There are a few press articles with photos of my work as well.
What project(s) are you currently working on and what can people look forward to experiencing?
I just completed two collections within a month-and-a-half of each other so my focus right now is to take a mental break. By this summer at the latest I will begin constructing my next collection.
How do you feel being a SCAD student plays into your role as a designer?
SCAD definitely has instilled within me the need to be self-motivated. Self-motivation is a discipline that not many people have. It makes the difference between those who are hungry for what they want, and those who show no initiative.
What would you leave as inspiration to other fashion students or SCAD students for that matter?
My advice would be to never stop creating. As designers we only evolve and improve as we keep creating. It’s the dance between creating and evaluating. “OK so I made these pieces. What does it say about me? Was it what I intended to show? How can I evolve these ideas and elevate them even more?” A lot of times students are fearful to create pieces and show them, but fear is only going to inhibit you. Create garments, and learn from what you did.
