Pretty much every young fashion designer dreams of having one big break — viral style moments, non-paid celebrity endorsements, major retailers’ support and the like. However, landing an appearance on a national talk show may not be part of their manifestations. But Tamron Hall is helping a handful of creatives to realize that vision.
For the winter installment of Hall’s “Up & Coming Designer” series, some on-the-rise talents will step in front of the camera on the “Tamron Hall Show,” during the week of Feb. 3. The nationally syndicated show put out an open call on its site in search of “talented designers who design, sew, and are looking to get into the fashion business.”
Applicants were eligible whether they “just sew for friends and family, sell your clothes online, or are a heartbeat away from seeing your label in stores.” The five contenders are knitwear specialist Parker Zinn, bridal and eveningwear designer Andrea Osei, HBO’s “The Hype” standout Brittney “Knoxx” Brooks, sportswear and ready-to-wear designer Grant Gilmore and T. Tandon designer Tina Tandon.
The New York-based Zinn really lucked out, having not been aware of the prospect until an associate producer from the show reached out to see if she was interested in participating. After two rounds of interviews, the designer said she made the cut and will soon be taping.
Having interned at Calvin Klein, Rag & Bone and Cynthia Rowley, the Parsons grad does solely made-to-order items. A post of a cable-knit strapless gown that she made went viral last November, thanks to TikTok-er Bridgette Pheloung. Having just started her namesake company, that post sent “tens of thousands” of website visitors Zinn’s way, she said. Prior to that, the actress Kathryn Hahn donned the dress for a cover shoot. “It’s really amazing to see the power of social media and what a couple of videos can do for someone like me, who just launched my company and graduated,” Zinn said.
Model Madison Contento in a dress by Parker Zinn.
Photo by Lawrence De leon/Courtesy Parker Zinn
Zinn’s designs require hours of work — and sometimes the help of local knitters, as was the case for a braided cable-knit skirt that was inspired by the strapless cable gown — upwards of 25 hours of knitting. (The skirt retails for $800 on Zinn’s site and requires five to seven weeks for production.) The cable-knit gown, of course, took much more time to complete, never mind the hours needed to construct the crinoline underlay, the fittings and creating the patterns, Zinn said.
In its sixth season, the “Up & Coming Designer” series was inspired by the women that Hall grew up with around Lulling, Texas, who would use minimal materials to make striking homemade designs. In the past, André Leon Talley, Sergio Hudson, June Ambrose, Fern Mallis and Bibhu Mohapatra have acted as on-air mentors. This year’s mentor is not yet being identified, since the show does not share that information in advance, according to a spokesperson.
“Thrilled” to be able to meet the other emerging designers on the show, Zinn said she is looking forward to sharing stories about their experiences and supporting each other as their paths progress. She is also eager to have the chance to create a custom dress for Hall and to learn who the mentor will be and “to take full advantage of the fact that they’re there to help us and are willing to give us guidance, as we grow as people and as designers,” Zinn said.
