WERK the RUNWAY: Cycle 3 - MG Soli Deo Gloria

      WERK the RUNWAY: Cycle 3 featured the Spring 2016 "Splendor" Collection from MG: Soli Deo Gloria by designer, Marian Gibson.

   Designer, Marian Gibson created the "Splendor" collection based on a passage from the Bible in which Jesus is giving his sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:29, 30). He says, "See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you --- you of little faith?" 
   "I have always been fascinated by the intricacies of flowers," says Marian Gibson. "This collection was meant to capture some of the magnificent colors, silhouettes, and whimsy of these delicate but stunning things." Morning glory, sunflower and Easter lily were all represented in her collection, and she also played with floral patterns and a variety of textures (velvet, raw silk, organza and even a few upholstery fabrics to keep things interesting). The tan jumpsuit and plum jacket speak to early-blooming crocuses peaking through autumn's fallen foliage. The skirt/cape worn by Kelsea communicates the incredible transformation that comes with spring, and new life refusing to bow to winter's death. 
   Marian Gibson has been sketching designs since she was just 11 and sewing the designs for herself since 14. "Design was the only career path I saw myself enjoying," says Gibson. She studied Apparel Design and Merchandising at Appalachian State, graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in 2012. In the summer after graduation, Gibson interned with Kara Wickman, a high-end women's designer in Rhode Island. "The experience really confirmed my passion for actually creating apparel for the runway,  versus going the merchandising/buyer route," she says. In Spring 2014, she produced her first women's wear collection as MG: Soli Deo Gloria. As well as featuring her looks in runway events, Marian Gibson is currently designing products for Freedom Global, a non-profit organization based in Durham, NC that fights poverty in Kenya through employment and education. In the future, Gibson plans to sell her looks at boutiques and online, "but for now, I love having the opportunity to share my designs through fashion shows."

   WERK the RUNWAY: Cycle 3 brought a high fashion runway event to Morristown, Tennessee for the third time on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Country Club. With a sold-out crowd and an amazing line-up, Cycle 3 was our biggest success yet. According to guests, the show gets "bigger and better every time."

   WERK the RUNWAY is co-hosted by award-winning makeup artist Missy Young and internationally-published fashion & fitness photographer Eric McKinney of 6:12 Photography. 

   Makeup for the show is by MUA Missy Young. 

   Hairstyling was provided by Harley Chandler, Desiree Huskey and Cassandra Wolfe with the Tennessee Institute of Cosmetology. 

   Music for the runway was provided by DJ Preston Husk.

   For more photos from WERK the RUNWAY: Cycle 3, check out 6:12 Photography by Eric McKinney on Facebook at www.facebook.com/photographybyericmckinney.
   For more 6:12 photos, visit facebook.com/photographybyericmckinney. If you enjoy my work, take a moment to click "like" on my page. You can also follow 6:12 on Instagram @mannequin612.
   Interested in booking a photo session with 6:12 Photography? Contact Eric McKinney at emckinney612@gmail.com to schedule a shoot.
   For more from MUA Missy Young, visit facebook.com/EcoChicDesignsbyMelissa. You can also follow Missy on Instagram @muabymissy.

WERK the RUNWAY: Cycle 2 - MG Soli Deo Gloria

WERK the RUNWAY: Cycle 2 featured a collection entitled "A Declaration" by MG: Soli Deo Gloria and designer, Marian Gibson. The 9-piece collection was inspired by the various colors and textures of the sky.
   As a designer, Marian Gibson is passionate about not making trendy apparel, but about designing clothes that complement a woman's body. MG: Soli Deo Gloria is about clothing that complement's the wearer's identity and make her feel more like herself: confident and beautiful. "I am out to prove that there's more to life than first meets the eye," says designer Marian Gibson. "It's the beauty in unexpected places that makes the difference, the surprise from the mundane, the potential for transformation that makes life worth it --- and I believe the same is true for design."
   Marian loves hand-dying her own fabrics, and she created her own color combination for this collection. Working with a lot of sheers this go around, Marian loves to include a variety of textures in her designs like velvet, silk, faux leather, wool boucle and organza.

#1 - Transforming Gown with Silver Faux Leather Jacket

Model: Lori C.

#2 - Jacquard Jumper with Floral Jacket

Model: Haley B.

#3 - Navy lace sunset dress

Model: Eryn B.

#4 - Coral dress and coat

Model: Darian H.

#5 - Starry sunset evening gown

Model: Madison S.

#6 - Sunset tank, faux leather jacket and coral cigarette pants

Model: Madison D.

#7 - Night sky dress with hood

Model: Kristen C. with 6:12 Model Management

#8 - Periwinkle and gray coat and dress

Model: Audrey R. with 6:12 Model Management

#9 - The Wedding Dress

Knit body with crystal beaded shoulders and pleated organza skirt 

Model: Taylor M. with 6:12 Model Management

You can find more info about MG: Soli Deo Gloria and designer Marian Gibson online at http://mariangibson.wix.com/mgsolideogloria.

WERK the RUNWAY: Cycle 2 took place on Saturday, September 26 at the Country Club in Morristown, Tennessee. The event included a roster of amazing models and runway looks by seven incredible designers --- MG: Soli Deo Gloria (Marian Gibson), Marc Nelson Denim, Charles Josef, our emerging designer Tricia Michelle Ellis, BLO Vintage Jewelry, Shadow Oak Maille (Kelly Jones) and KC Leatherwerks (Diane Corey), and local boutique Roadside Revival. The finale for the show, titled "Kicked Out of Eden: The 7 Deadly Sins" was a collection styled by Eric McKinney and Missy Young and featuring Adam and Eve's leaf-covered swimwear created by Eric and Missy out of leaves from the Blossom Shop, providing an edgy and high fashion take on the introduction of sin and its many forms.

The event was co-hosted by makeup artist Missy Young and photographer Eric McKinney of 6:12 Photography. Hairstyling for the runway was provided by Mackenzie Lane Knisley, Brooke Crawford and Juliana Stafford. Music was provided by DJ Preston Husk, lighting was provided by The Sound Guys, and the event was MC'd by Andi Beason. Makeup artistry was provided by MUA Missy Young.

#WERKtheRUNWAY #612photog #MUAbyMissy #TeamWERK

For more photos from the event, check out the album on 6:12 Photography's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.837128339735673.1073741954.269702536478259&type=3.