Student Spotlight: Emmanuel Williams brings unique designs to Western

By Michelle Allen

March 11, 2010 No Comments

You’ve seen his work in the Baptist Student Union’s Rip the Runway fashion show last week, but that was just the beginning. Senior Emmanuel Williams is an up and coming fashion designer on the Missouri Western campus. Williams, a graphic designer major, talked about his love for fashion.

“I used to always do sketches of clothing,” Williams said. Williams said he was interested in fashion before he started designing as well. “Two year ago I started silk screening t-shirts and I think that’s what got my name out,” Williams said.

Williams has printed many t-shirts for many organizations on the Missouri Western campus such as the Society of Distinguished Black Women, Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Sigma Alpha, as well as his own clothing line: Eman Brian.

Williams came up with the line for his designs when a family tragedy hit close to his heart. “When my cousin died I thought it would only be right to name my clothing line after him, even though my last name is Williams,” Williams said.

Williams has been working in the Center for Student Engagement as a graphic design artist. “I just started working here this year,” Williams said. “But I’ve been doing graphic design since I’ve been in college.”

Williams expressed how he wants to be something great in the future. “I want to be a staple in fashion like a Donna Karan or a Yves Saint Laurent,” Williams said. “They don’t know my face but they know my work.”

Black Student Union president Leah Hayes said she is excited about Williams’ work. “I think people enjoy knowing that we have a student designer on the campus,” Hayes said. “I think a lot of people came out to the fashion show because they wanted to see his work.”

Williams said he is excited for the WAC fashion show in April. “I’m going to have all new pieces,” Williams said. Williams provided advice to up and coming designers. “I think you have to put yourself out there,” Williams said. “No one is just going to come up to you and ask if you design clothes, you have to make yourself known and build your career from there.”

Western sophomore I’Keim Berger discussed Williams’ unique fashions.

“Personally, I like his clothes,” Berger said. “I don’t know a lot of men who can sew, let alone design clothes.”