Meet Peppers!
I am so excited to share this next chat with creative, fashion designer - Patresea Peppers, affectionately known as Peppers!
I met Peppers when she was a sophomore at SCAD. I use to see her around campus just as loud and crazy as she wanted to be. I was able to get to know Peppers very well when she started working as a student worker for us and was working that front desk like she owned the joint! I have watched her grow and become the beautiful young woman she is today and I am so proud of her! It has been my great honor to look out for her as much I can. Her presence always brings a smile to my face.
Check out why I adore her so much!
What do you love about ATL?
The thing I love the most about Atlanta is you get a mix of both worlds, for me at least. You have a major city center that is all hustle and bustle, but you can drive out 45 mins or so and you have this very slow rural life. Which I love because I grew up in that setting. Being able to take a break from the city, without having to drive 6 hours back to Mississippi makes me happy.
How would you describe your style?
My style fluctuates A LOT! Some days, I really like to dress it up and go all out. Then other days, I am very reserved. I don’t think I have a direct style that I lean towards. It mainly just depends on the day and my mood. Monday’s I can be very reserved, since it is the beginning of the week and I am not the biggest fan of Monday. However, when Friday comes, JUST KNOW I’M BRINGING YOU ALL I GOT!
What’s your favorite piece in your wardrobe?
My favorite piece in my wardrobe is this burgundy Gap Jacket that I picked up from the Goodwill. It’s a men’s jacket, so it is nice and oversized just like I like it. And it was only $10, which is a steal for a jacket that was probably $100 retail price. I loved that jacket so much that I think it was meant for me to have two. I went back the Goodwill a few months later, and found the same jacket in a royal blue! We were obviously meant to be.
Why fashion design?
I grew up wanting to be a designer. I don’t know why I was drawn to the craft, but I literally grew up drawing paper dolls and dressing them up. I loved the idea of making women feel beautiful. When it came time to apply for school and pick a major, fashion was at the top of my list. My parents said go for it and I never looked back!
tell me about your style of work?
My style of work is very unique, I must say, I’m not your typical fashion designer. I don’t get pleasure out of making RTW pieces. The excitement comes in when I’m able to be one with pieces I create. I love taking materials that are conventional, and adding them to high fashion couture pieces.
Who/what inspires you as a creative?
The world around me inspires me. People, places, things, food, lol, so serious. Most of my inspiration comes from textures in nature. Textures that people may find unsettling or disturbing, I find so beautiful. I like to find a way to incorporate that texture into my design, whether it be through fabric manipulation, prints, etc..
Tell me about your upcoming project(s)?
April brings a lot of new changes for me! So I am stepping into the YouTube world. I am starting my own channel. You can find me on there under Patresea Peppers. In addition, my biggest project for the year is my upcoming fall solo exhibition, “Somewhere Between ’93 and Now.” This self-exploration will feature new designs, performance art, and an array of visual media. Stay tuned!