Deanna Grubbs (’95), of Hendersonville, was recently promoted to vice president of apparel product development at Johnston & Murphy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genesco, where she focuses on the apparel company’s retail growth and expansion into wholesale channels. Grubbs began her career with Johnston & Murphy in 1999 in the marketing group focused on wholesale and public relations.
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Ayana Ife (’15), a Textiles, Merchandising, and Design graduate, who gained international notoriety following a runner-up finish on Bravo Television’s Project Runway fashion design competition, recently embarked on the next exciting chapter in her life as a fashion designer. Ife’s niche was and is that she specializes in creating fashions for modest women that are not dowdy or cumbersome. Last January, she relocated to Milan, Italy, to study at the Milano Fashion Institute, where she earned a partial scholarship to study fashion and learn more about the business side. Ife originally received acceptance into Milano Fashion Institute just prior to her tenure on Project Runway, and the Institute held her spot. With direction from MTSU’s Tennessee Small Business Development Center, Ife has been working on a business plan and focusing on the commercial side of the fashion business.