Born and raised in Minnesota Emilaysia’s love for fashion blossomed at the age of five, when she discovered project runway. She would then fall in love with the process of styling, Emilaysia would frequently style her mother and put together different outfits she didn't see often. Her love for styling would go on to be the foundation of her approach to designing. When creating Emilaysia imagines the many ways one piece can be styled, her focus is always the full look and not just the piece at hand. Because of this she bases each design on versatility and detail. Upon graduation Emilaysia plans to create an online store that offers capsule collections that make a statement and bring on a new point of view.
My collection, ‘The Code’, is inspired by my identity as a designer and is heavily influenced by my culture. Growing up, I didn’t see many designers highlighting the kind of clothing that reflected my world and its versatility, and I’ve always wanted to change that. With this collection, I’m celebrating the creativity and style that shaped me. I decided to name my line ‘The Code’ because Barcodes appear throughout the collection as a symbol of identity. Traditionally used to label products, here they represent that this collection is a direct product of who I am. Many of the pieces are things I wish I had in my closet, or styles I wish I saw more of. I love taking everyday staples like T-shirts, jackets, and jeans and making them feel new and exciting through screen printing and layering with different shapes and silhouettes. With The Code, I hope to bring a new perspective and inspire others to tell their own stories through fashion.