Meet Paige Haynes of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Haynes.

Hi Paige, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’d like to think I was first a painter. My father once had my finger paintings hung in his home office because you couldn’t quite tell that a toddler did it. My interest in art continued and with that my parents enrolled me in the Kaizar School of Art. Despite being an after school and summer program, I owe a lot of my early understanding of design and craftsmanship to them.

Around the age of seven is when I focused on fashion design. My mother recently taught me how to hand sew because it was a fond memory she shared with her mother and grandmother. She showed me how to make a quilt and sew patches on clothes. The idea of making my clothes different with just one patch opened the door for my creativity. I declared to my parents that I wanted to be a fashion designer.

My life from that point on consisted of watching YouTube tutorials, filling sketchbooks, attending precollege programs, watching Project Runway, researching colleges, applying to design competitions, etc. While that is a long list, fashion didn’t consume my life nor was it always easy for me. There are probably still unfinished projects from middle school in my basement. I was, and still am, a perfectionist, and as an adolescent, I struggled to stay motivated throughout projects. Even completing my portfolios for college applications was a rough experience. I was consumed by self doubt, frustration, and fear.

A breakthrough experience for me in high school was created by two teachers amidst my internal chaos. My fashion design and interior teacher, Mrs. Nash, and one of my club advisors, Dr. Simmons Berwise, asked me to organize a fashion show that would be showcased during our school’s annual Black History Month Assembly. I couldn’t tell them no, and I’m glad that I didn’t. For two months, I researched ‘game changing’ Black fashion designers, I designed looks inspired by their original designs, I delegated garments to my classmates, I held a model casting, I created several original looks, and so much more behind the scenes. I may have presented my school with a fashion show, but I proved to myself that I am capable of doing what I love.

Today, I am currently enrolled in the Savannah College Art of Design (SCAD) studying fashion design and business management. I will be entering my senior year this fall, so this summer commences the planning of my senior collection. I often reflect on how I felt during my final year of high school, because in all honesty, her doubt and fear still linger. The future is very unknown, but I am grateful to my professors, mentors, family, and friends, constantly supporting me. I trust that this last year is only my beginning.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Getting to where I am and who I am today was not an easy journey. I put a lot of pressure on myself to exceed expectations. I’ve had to unlearn a mindset that was harmful to my wellbeing and my creativity. On top of that, the pace of college really took me for a whirlwind. Having to constantly produce and think, is both mentally and physically exhausting. I may be in my last year, but I’m still getting used to it and finding balance in my daily life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Something I love about being a student is the ability to explore with a safety net. For about a year now, I have been exploring menswear fashion. As a little girl, I imagined myself creating glamorous dresses, but creating menswear has challenged me creatively and also forced me to understand my point of view as a designer.

To me, art and fashion alike are telling a story. Everything I create is communicating a story. Sometimes the narrative is about me, a muse, a fictional character, a time period, etc. but there is a message. Furthermore, I like to create poems as a starting point for my creative endeavors. I think my ability to translate a concept into literature then to fashion is what sets me apart. There is already a quality of skill and execution within my work, and then, there is an added layer of detail based in the depth of my conceptual storytelling

I currently take commissions and alterations. Some of my work is also available at BAZAAR by ShopSCAD.

What matters most to you?
My friends like to joke that I’m the mom of the group, for many reasons, but a main one being my concern for everyone’s health. I’m not the healthiest person on the planet, but I am intentional when it comes to managing my body. There are several illnesses I am predisposed to, I’ve had many sports related injuries (two which led to surgeries), and I’ve also struggled greatly with my mental health. I love being an artist, but I cannot be one if my mind or body fails me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepaigehaynes/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigeshaynes