Eric Jernigan will share his latest collection — Beauteous Eruption — as part of the Art Institute's spring runway show Watch video
Eric Jernigan was introduced to pageantry as a young child when his cousin took home her first crown.
The ribbon bows, rose accents and intricate beading on the young woman's pink satin ball gown captivated Jernigan as he watched her confidently sashay on the pageant runway. He was 6 years old at the time.
"From that very moment, I wanted to explore more of what my love and connection was to this art form," Jernigan said.
In the summer of 1997, Jernigan took up his first sewing needle and thread to make a felted pillow at camp. When he returned home, he used his mother's old bedsheets to create costumes for his female cousins. By age 15, he presented his first collection at the Arts High School in Newark.
"The collection was inspired by dolls and I used a combination of crochet and tulle to make baby doll-cut dresses," Jernigan said. "At the end of my showing my collection, there was this feeling of finding my identity."
On Tuesday night, Jernigan will graduate to his largest stage to date when he shares his latest collection -- Beauteous Eruption -- at New York fashion week as part of the Art Institute of New York City's spring runway show at the Skylight at Moynihan Station.
Jernigan is one of 12 students from the Art Institute whose work will appear in the show. He was among 60 students who applied for a chance to debut their designs at fashion week.
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Beauteous Eruption was inspired by a mythical story of a goddess trapped in a volcano. The designs in the collection -- which Jernigan describes as "electrically elegant; a mixture of fantasy, control and edge" -- feature silhouettes, fabrics and colors that allude to volcanic eruptions.
"I start with the story and characters and my collection evolves from there," Jernigan, 24, said of his unorthodox design process. "By creating a character, I can imagine her personality and the world she lives in."
The pieces include a high-waisted short, high low sun dress with adjustable straps and a floor-length jacket. The majority are charcoal gray and a handful are made of crepe chiffon. Some of the designs feature angular pink piping in the shape of a volcano.
Jernigan spent about two months preparing his collection. He hopes it will highlight his strength in evening wear design.
In one way or another, Jernigan has been preparing for his whole life. Since age 9, he was a habitual watcher of the series "Full Frontal Fashion," which offered a behind-the-scenes look into the fashion industry, designers' collections and the design process.
With the encouragement of his parents, Jernigan taught himself about fashion design -- including how to sketch and sew. When it came time for high school, there was little question where he would enroll. Arts High School allows students to major in drama, music, dance or visual arts. Jernigan said he has gathered a little from each art form to create Beauteous Eruption.
"Everything I do has something to do with my theater background and dance, and if you look at my current collection, you can definitely tie it to a dancer's body -- the movement, the fabric I chose," Jernigan said.
Jernigan hopes that his theatrical background will become his signature as a designer. It is a trait he shares with his favorite designers -- Vivienne Westwood, Bob Mackie, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, The Blondes and Eiko Ishioka -- who are known for their bold, dramatic pieces.
"My ultimate fashion goal is to continue to create clothing with my theatrical touch and to give my audience a musical of clothing," Jernigan said. "I'm a playwright and my garments are the characters in my musical."
Janelle Griffith may be reached at jgriffith@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @janellefiona. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.