Curated Texan
Austinite Brittany Allen’s bright and happy designs are as colorful as she is. Her time as a fan favorite on Bravo’s hit, Project Runway, helped pave the path to her design success and to her current starring role on Project Runway All-Stars, which debuts Thursday, June 15. Here, she catches up with our Lance Avery Morgan to share her essence with the world.
What I love most about designing is…the freedom of expression. I love channeling my energy and emotions into a design. It allows me an outlet for what I am passionate about while creating garments that make people feel incredible in their own skin.
My style icon is…Kacey Musgraves. She is timeless, yet so chic all the time.
My personal style signifiers are… bright colors and prints. I always want to wear something that is a statement.
Best career advice I’ve received is…to put your blinders on while doing your thing. It’s like the horses at the Kentucky Derby. Stop looking at what other designers are doing. Whatever they have going on means it’s already being done. Do something different and contribute your personal design aesthetic to the industry.
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…I am a very motivated Type A person, extremely ambitious, and a risk-taker.
How I made my first dollar was…I worked retail at a small boutique in Arkansas, which taught me so much about customer service.
Last show I binge/marathon watched was…Stranger Things. It’s my favorite show ever.
First CD I bought happened to be…Britney Spears’ debut album. I haven’t missed one since.
What everyone/woman should try in her lifetime is…to go on a trip and travel by herself at least once because it is exhilarating. You get to do all the things you want to do and see what you want to see.
One thing I am exceptionally good at that most might not know would be… I have formal vocal training. I used to sing through college. I thought it was what I wanted to do, but it didn’t fulfill anything for me.
The beauty essential you’d have to pry out of my cold, dry hands is…dry texturizing spray. My hair is fine, so I need something to help me style it.
I want to make it a greener world by…I like to think we are making a greener world every single day in my studio. We are made-to-order. We aren’t working with manufacturers and sitting on a bunch of inventory like other brands, “hoping it will eventually sell.” That is how fast fashion started, and these brands are why our earth is polluted with so much unused apparel. This industry must change.
