5 Questions with Creatives

5 QUESTIONS WITH CREATIVES BRITTNEY MEADS BY LILLY PARADISE

Local custom designer and self-made fashionista, Brittney Meads is creating handcrafted dresses that are adding a unique flair to the streets of Pensacola. Her mission is to customize clothes based on what her clients want, ignoring all trends and sticking to her originality. Meads was born in New York City and eventually found her way to Navarre, FL, which is where she’s lived most of her life. She expanded her fashion education at the University of Hertfordshire in London and the University of Belmont in Nashville. Today, she creates dresses out of anything you can think of! Whether it’s a tablecloth or curtain, she is sure to create exceptional pieces that you will not find on the racks of your local mall.

What inspired you to become a custom fashion designer?

I went to college and thought I was going to be a lawyer. In the process of doing school, I realized that I wanted to go to Harvard Law School. I knew I needed some things to put on my resume that made me stand out, so I started to do these volunteer activities. I eventually volunteered for National Fashion Week and got to work with some of the designers. As I saw these dresses go down the runway I thought to myself, “Ooh I just want to see if I can make one.” I then went home and took my dad's t-shirt and made a dress out of it. I wore it to church and all the ladies were like “where did you get your dress?” and I said, “I made it!” I was so excited by their responses and decided to make a couple more. It took me about two years to realize I was a designer because I was so set on law school. When I would come home, I would stay up and make dresses until about three in the morning. I didn’t want to make a thousand of one thing and try to find a thousand people to like my outfits. It is much easier for clients to tell me what they want instead of me telling them what they want. I feel like magazines push clothes onto people based on their body type. When, in reality, people just want to feel comfortable and wear what they want to wear. So, doing custom designs has been a little easier because I cater to my client's vision.

A lot of fashion designers define fashion by what’s on trend. How do you define fashion?

Fashion is peoples’ own visual art of who they are and what their personality is. When I wear clothes, it’s about me and what I like. It’s not about trends or what you see in movies. I think fashion is a way of speaking to other people without saying anything.

Is designing clothes for those with curvy body types important to you?

I am a custom designer so I need to be able to make clothes for any size. Most of my Instagram has photos of me and I am curvy, but that isn't necessarily my niche. I want women to feel comfortable in their bodies. By offering custom designs they don't have to be a certain way to fit into my clothes. Instead, I make my clothes fit them.

Why are you choosing to make face masks into fashion statements and do the face masks work to CDC's expectations?

My masks are cloth masks as recom

mended by the CDC. I do not make any claims that they will reduce the risk of the coronavirus. They will keep you from coughing/sneezing on others. During this time, I only go out for essential items. I figured since I am already making dresses, I can also make a matching face mask. This helps everyone feel a bit more fashionable during some unfashionable times.

Is there any advice you would like to give to the young fashion gurus out there?

I would say do whatever you love. Do not try to do something for the approval of others. Do what you love first because people buy into you. For example, Beyonce has an army of people that support her with everything she does. People think she’s gold because they like her. It isn’t because of her brand or clothes. It’s because they like who she is as a person. Being that personable and humble person will attract everything you need. Schools try to teach you a proper system when it comes to creativity as if you can only go one way. But there are so many ways to get to your destination. It’s amazing what you will find out there.