Two sisters, Sarah and Annakay Winford, placed in the Emerging Designer competition for the third annual Birmingham Fashion Week. Recent Auburn graduate, Sarah, placed second and junior at Auburn, Annakay, tied for third.
The 14 contestants were each responsible for designing a set of four different looks to be modeled Thursday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 1. From there, the top seven designers were selected. The remaining designers showed their collection again in the finales on Saturday, March 2.
"I did more of a ready to wear separate collection that was inspired by old Hollywood," Sarah said. "There was some leather and stripes, and it was all black and white and beige."
Sarah said she watched old Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe films to help gain inspiration for the style that she was going for.
Featuring a more structured look, Annakay's collection was inspired by famous architecture such as the Sydney Opera House and the Hoover Dam.
Though the sisters' designs and inspirations were differing, their color palettes were nearly the same.
"We were saying we could probably have all of our models work out together and say it's one big collection," Annakay said.
Highlights of the experience for the girls included being surrounded by the fashion industry, and getting to meet other designers, both local and more famous.
"Anthony Ryan (a Project Runway All-Stars winner) was there, so that was awesome," Annakay said. "He touched my dress at one point that one of my models who was about to go out was wearing. I was so flattered."
Both girls are keeping their options open for the future, but as far as the ultimate dream job goes, both mentioned how they would one day love to go into business together.
"At this point I'm just kind of applying and seeing what happens. I would love to work for Marc Jacobs, but really, if Annakay and I could just start our own label, that's ultimately what we would like to do."
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