Who would have guessed that Grand Rapids, Michigan, would find itself becoming a backdrop for some seriously ambitious fashion moments? Yet here we are.
As the city prepares to welcome a massive live fashion show and Guinness World Records attempt during the closing ceremonies of ArtPrize 2026, it feels fitting to look at the next generation of designers emerging from right here in West Michigan. Among them is Grand Rapids native Alexa Claire Taylor, a Forest Hills Northern High School graduate whose collegiate senior collection, I Am a Clumsy Lady, recently made its debut at Savannah College of Art and Design’s Fashion 2026 and was featured by Vogue Runway.
We caught up with the recent Savannah College of Art and Design graduate to talk about her journey into fashion, the women and experiences that shaped her collection, and what she hopes aspiring designers in West Michigan take away from her story.
Grand Rapids Magazine: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Alexa Claire Taylor: My name is Alexa Claire Taylor, and I grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a family of entrepreneurs, which gave me an appreciation for building something from the ground up from an early age. I’ve always been drawn to creativity… I attended Forest Hills Northern HS and Ada Vista… I went on to study Fashion Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I just graduated with my BFA.
GR Mag: Do you remember the first time you realized you wanted to become a fashion designer?
ACT: Working in fashion and being a fashion designer were always two very different things to me growing up. In middle school, I became really interested in self-expression… By the time I was 14, I wanted to work in fashion marketing.
Then at SCAD, I took a textiles class… my professor came up to me, asked if I had enjoyed the project, and said, “Have you ever thought about switching to Fashion Design?” And that’s when I made the leap!
GR Mag: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your collection?
ACT: The inspiration behind I Am a Clumsy Lady comes from growing up around the women in my family. To me, they always seemed so perfect and put together, but every single one of them jokes that they just can’t get their shit together.
Of course, there are deeper meanings, such as my struggle with ADHD and how that affects women specifically, but it also felt like now is the time in the world to make imperfect things, be lighthearted, and push against this expectation of polished domestic idealism and work toward something real.
GR Mag: How would you describe your design aesthetic?
ACT: My style definitely pulls toward the intersection of playful and comforting. I consider it a success if someone says, “Oh my gosh, that’s so cute.” A lot of my work explores unconventional femininity… especially through the lens of queer women and the ways we use clothing to express ourselves in interesting, fun, and unconventional ways.
GR Mag: What does your creative process look like?
ACT: My process always starts with an observation of some kind, why it matters, why it should exist right now, and who needs it. I try not to be too linear, as it can make your work too stagnant when there needs to be a level of experimentation.
GR Mag: What advice would you give students in West Michigan?
ACT: I would say be observant, document everything. I also recommend watching classic movies, listening to iconic songs, and studying art, not just fashion. Most of the time, it’s just about your eye and fine-tuning it to see what others see.
GR Mag: Anyone you’d like to thank?
ACT: Definitely my family, who have given me all the support and enthusiasm for what I want to do. I’m also incredibly grateful to Patrick De’Muynck, my professor at SCAD, who taught me so much over the course of my senior year and developing my final collection.
GR Mag: Where can people follow your work?
ACT: @alexaclairetaylor on Instagram, LinkedIn, and everything else, and alexaclairetaylor.com!
