The Gravier St. Social in New Orleans holds a vintage bar, a pop art wall and chairs in varying fabrics. 
The area is usually used for guests to order a drink, sit back and relax. But on March 15, furniture was reorganized to create a runway in the center of the space for Southern Design Week to showcase the night’s collections — Megan Mitton and Fit By You. 
Designers Megan Mitton and Robin Barnes are newcomers to Southern Design Week, and both walked two juxtaposing lines down the runway. 
Mitton is a senior design student at the University of Alabama but was born and raised in Shreveport. She said her design aesthetic combines a classic southern woman with a touch of edge and sex appeal. She said the goal of all her designs is to effortlessly turn heads and not rely on over-the-top silhouettes. 
“It’s not because she has something vulgar written across her or there is some giant thing coming off of her head,” Mitton said. “You turn because something about that makes me turn my head.”
Mitton said when she applied to be a participating designer in Southern Design Week, she did not think she had a chance of being included. However, once she heard she was accepted, she had a month to pull an entire collection together. Some items she used from her senior line at school and others she created just for Southern Design Week. 
Mitton’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection consisted of skirts, sweaters, kimonos and gowns in neutral colors of black, cream, dusty pink and dark green. Fabric choices varied between velvet, lace and leather. 
Pieces from Mitton’s show include a long, dark green gown made of velvet with a straight silhouette and a “deep V” neckline as well as a billowing high-low skirt in dusty pink. 
Mitton describes classic sex appeal as having a daring element, like a plunging neckline, combined with a classic, refined look of a long skirt or covered sleeves. 
On the other hand, Barnes designs are of a completely different variety — activewear. 
Barnes is a jazz singer in the New Orleans area. After having a serious kidney issue, she was inspired her to change her lifestyle and she decided to add “clothing designer” to her résumé. 
“I’m always wearing fitness gear, workout gear and active wear when I’m not performing. Why not do something I love, I support and I know it’s coming somewhere that’s from love?” Barnes said. 
The Fit By You Fall/Winter 2015 collection included printed leggings and graphic t-shirts in bright colors. Many of the shirts include sayings like “move your brass,” “throw me something mister” and “NOLA” with the “L”
replaced by a treble clef. 
Barnes said she finds music and design go hand and hand. She said her designs are comfortable and adapt to what the wearer is doing — including dancing.  
“Music for me is movement and basically trying to enjoy the moment, and I think that’s the same way with active wear or fitness wear, you need to be moving,” Barnes said. 
Barnes also felt the New Orleans culture warranted making her designs in bright colors like pink and teal. 
“I just want to stand out because New Orleans itself is funky, why not make the clothes be fun too,” Barnes said. 
Both Barnes and Mitton agreed their first experience at Southern Design Week was a positive one. Barnes said they were flexible when she wanted to make her runway unconventional by having the models dance and bounce instead of strictly walk. Mitton said she loved the support she received while getting everything for the show together. 
“That’s how I made a beautiful show because we were all part of it together. It wasn’t just me by myself,” Mitton said. “[Creator Andi Eaton and the rest of the Southern Design Week] were in it with me, and they loved it just
as much.” 
You can reach Meg Ryan on Twitter @The_MegRyan.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Raegan Labat

Shreveport designer Megan Mitton showcases her self-titled fashion line Sunday, Mar. 15, 2015, to kick off day one of Southern Design Week at Gravier St. Social in New Orleans. Southern Design Week will run until Mar. 20.