BEHIND THE
SEAMS
ANNA HEYWARD TAYLOR
Featured designer in The Charleston Museum’s Reimagined Fashion: Creations of the Future Past exhibit
MAY 2025 - JANUARY 2026
“When I began my research for this exhibit, I stumbled upon The Selected Letters of Anna Heyward Taylor in the South Carolina Historical Society. I spent my summer days escaping the heat and diving into the page-turner that was Miss Taylor’s life. I read her to be quick witted, adventurous and wildly creative- the perfect muse for this capsule collection.
I spent the majority of my creative process experimenting with color and print, as my previous collections have always gravitated towards a more monochromatic palette. I vowed to push myself for this momentous occasion; each print and hue chosen with the intention to breathe life into fabric and tell the story of Miss Taylor’s artistry.
My designs pay homage to Anna Heyward Taylor, a brilliant Charleston artist whose work deeply moved me. Her connection to Japanese aesthetics, particularly the rōketsuzome dyeing technique, captivated me and guided my approach to these pieces. The intricate layering, rich textures, and organic flow of color within rōketsuzome spoke to my appreciation of thoughtful craftsmanship, inspiring me to merge historical influence with my modern interpretation.
It was an honor to create pieces that celebrate both Charleston’s artistic heritage and the beauty of textile innovation. I hope these looks not only highlight the legacy of Anna Heyward Taylor but also ignite inspiration in those who view them– just as her works did for me.” (Artist Statement)
CHARLESTON FASHION WEEK
Lexus Charleston Fashion Week debut
FALL 2023
Featured in the annual USC Fashion Board fashion show, Stroll South of Broad, and beyond, this collection is a thoughtfully curated selection of archived Morgan Kimberly designs. Each look was chosen with intention to reflect the brand’s evolving vision, marking Morgan’s fashion week debut upon her return to Charleston to pursue Morgan Kimberly full-time. Drawing inspiration from the bold glamour of Studio 54 and reinterpreting it through a modern lens, this collection laid the foundation for the distinctive aesthetic that continues to define Morgan Kimberly today.
STUDIO 54: BEYOND THE VELVET ROPE
Senior thesis
SPRING 2022
Inspired by the legendary 1980s nightclub and its star-studded guest list, Studio 54: Beyond the Velvet Rope marked a pivotal moment for the brand, granting Morgan Kimberly the creative freedom to fully explore the allure and energy of life beneath the disco lights. Defined by a balance of glitz and glamour, this ten-piece collection served as Morgan’s senior thesis, culminating in her graduation from the Charleston School of the Arts with distinction in costume and fashion design. The collection was complete with a student-run video production, produced and directed by Morgan Kimberly.
"A guy named Steve Rubell had a dream: To throw the best damned party the world had ever seen and to make it last forever. He built a world where fantasy was put up as reality and where an 80-year-old disco queen could dance until dawn. Where models mingled with mechanics, plumbers danced with princes. It was a place where all labels were left behind. A place where there were no rules." - Ryan Phillippe
VIRGINIA ZABRISKIE
Junior collection
SPRING 2020
Virginia Zabriskie was a quietly formidable presence in the American art world—an independent gallerist and champion of artists whose work resisted easy categorization. As the founder of Zabriskie Gallery in New York, she built her career on conviction, scholarship, and an unwavering belief in thoughtful, well-made work rather than trend or spectacle. Known for her sharp eye, generosity, and measured approach, Zabriskie fostered lasting relationships with artists, offering them something rare: time, trust, and the freedom to evolve beyond market expectations. By placing emerging voices alongside historically significant figures, she created meaningful dialogue and elevated the understated with enduring impact.
This four-piece collection draws inspiration from Zabriskie’s gallery and the legacy she left behind. Each gown stands as its own work of art while harmonizing with the others—celebrating individuality, creative dialogue, and the quiet power found in distinct yet connected voices. Together, they honor the idea that true influence is felt most deeply when it is shared between artists.
AUDREY HEPBURN
Sophomore collection
SPRING 2019
Inspired by the enduring grace of Audrey Hepburn and shaped by the romance of Charleston, this collection reimagines classic femininity through a modern Southern lens. Clean silhouettes, thoughtful restraint, and subtle detailing nod to Hepburn’s iconic style, while soft textures, architectural lines, and coastal influences reflect the charm and ease of life in Charleston.
Designed to feel both timeless and lived-in, each piece balances sophistication with approachability—honoring tradition while allowing space for individuality. Together, the collection captures a sense of quiet confidence and effortless refinement, celebrating the beauty found where old-world elegance meets a place that feels like home.
SILHOUETTES OF THE FIRST DESIGNERS
Freshman collection
SPRING 2018
Silhouettes of the First Designers is a reflection on beginnings—both of fashion history and of a designer’s own first steps. Created during Morgan’s freshman year for her inaugural runway presentation at the Charleston School of the Arts, this piece marks the moment where inspiration transformed into practice. The garment’s silhouette draws from the foundational forms established by some of fashion’s earliest visionaries, interpreted through the lens of a student discovering her voice.
Accompanying the look is a handcrafted feather headpiece, shaped into the silhouettes of Coco Chanel, Charles Frederick Worth, and Edith Head. Delicate yet symbolic, the accessory serves as a tribute to the designers whose influence continues to shape the industry and those who stand at its beginning. Together, the piece honors the idea that every designer’s future is built upon the silhouettes that came before.
