Brian Atkins has been sketching fashion since he was a child. While he works in corporate America, Brian says, “when I turned 40 I decided that I was finally going to pursue my dream and make it a reality.” Brian took basic sewing lessons, learned to drape and taught himself the rest.
Brian has been designing for a little less than two years, and says his favorite thing about designing is seeing his vision come to life on the runway. “It’s the entire collection coming together that is the moment for me.”
Brian describes himself as a designer using the words “timeless,” “drama” and “creative.” He says he is motivated by everything from architecture, to flowers or graffiti in an abandoned building. Brian says the Unconventional Materials Challenge using newsprint in our upcoming Rock the Runway show is the most unique item he has ever created and he can’t wait to see it on the runway.
Brian’s favorite designers are Christian Siriano, Zuhair Murad and Ellie Saab. If he could design for anyone, he would choose Sarah Jessica Parker becauase “she is a fashion icon and very fashion forward.”
