I first met designer Tara Skelley at 2013’s Memphis Fashion Week Preview Party (one of my favorite models was live modeling a dress from her collection) + we became fast friends. I loved how bubbly + down to earth she was; you knew she was a woman that you could both work + play hard with, and her designs were pretty dope. She could also double as a model (which she did for me here!) She won the Audience Award that year (obviously), and after last year’s MFW, she finally launched her line Dilettante Collection, a collection of feminine + flirty silhouettes with a little bit of Southern charm mixed in.

As she gears up to show at this year’s Memphis Fashion Week, I was able to pop into her new studio to get a peek at her work-space (she’s part of Studio688, a new co-work space + event venue for creatives in Cooper-Young),  but more importantly, get a mini preview of what she’s working on for the show (because I’m nosey like that, lol).

OBSESSED with her moodboard. Seriously, I want to frame it on my wall, lol. I love how dreamy the colors are. One of the things that Tara I talked about is that there seems to be a fear of looking pretty right now. Minimalism is a huge trend, and many still like to go for the over-the-top eclectic look, but some of us still like pretty. I can’t wait to see these confections come to life and come down the runway.

Sketches + fabric swatches from last year’s collection.

To keep up with Dilettante Collection, follow them on Instagram here. They will be showing as part of Friday’s Runway shows at MCA (see the full event lineup here).

dilettante collection Fashion memphis fashion week studio688 tara skelley