MSU hosts New York designer

Murray State is not a destination normally considered for an up-and-coming designer's fashion show.

However, the University hosted a show featuring the styles and designs of Charlie Brown's Johnny Handsome label Saturday.

The Johnny Handsome label has been around since 1999 and has recently been expanded to include a women's line, Johnny Girl.

"This collection is for the urban but also for the suburban," said Brown, main designer for the label. "We are looking to cross over and branch out of New York City."

One way Brown is looking to expand his consumer market is by featuring his designs at college fashion shows throughout the country.

"We are working with several production companies for brand awareness in the hopes of getting our name out there," Brown said.

Most recently, the Johnny Handsome label gained national attention by dressing actress Raven Simone for the Vibe Awards.

Although Brown feels national exposure is great, he is looking to spread the name of the label in smaller venues as well.

Brown is working with the production company Intersection, founded by model Alan O'Neal, to set up shows at college campuses around the country to accomplish this goal.

O'Neal developed Intersection in part to provide himself with work, but also to help new designers gain recognition.

"I had this vision to work with up-and-coming designers to help expose other people in other places to designs that they may not normally be exposed to," O'Neal said.

"It was cool going to an actual fashion show, and seeing some of the new styles that may hit the shelves here," said Ashlee Gladson, freshman from Collierville, Tenn.

O'Neal was contacted by a Murray State student and decided Murray would be a great place for the show.

"Many times, small places like Murray are overlooked, and they are behind in many fashion trends," said O'Neal. "By having shows like these, we are helping to spread the new fashion ideas."

The fashion show allowed students to see firsthand what the fashion world is styling.

"It was interesting to see what people will be wearing this spring," said Thomas Dillard, freshman from Germantown, Tenn. "I would like to see more shows hosted like these in the future."