Many people might remember the 2023 Grammys as the night Beyonce was crowned the record-holder for most wins ever or the time Ben Affleck became yet another meme, but Campbelle Searcy will recall the February evening as the point she saw her original design all over the Internet. As a freshman, Searcy is just getting her college career started, but she’s already making waves on the red carpet. 

Searcy and Isolde Fair, a singer, songwriter, violinist, and former Grammy winner herself, had a chance meeting a few months back that led them to this special moment. When Fair asked her to design a piece for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, the look was nothing short of eye-catching, garnering attention from TikTok and fashion critics. Now Searcy is making a name for herself one inventive garment at a time. 

“I’m really here not to be a good designer, but to be a controversial one.” That’s her approach to fashion.

A longtime sewer, Searcy produces striking pieces that tell a story. Her connection with Fair (initially complimenting her outfit, of course) and their mutually outlandish attitudes towards dressing forged a clothing collaboration that rocked music’s biggest night. 

“We were in the Village and we talked for maybe three hours. I had my journal with me and I’m just drawing ideas and going through thoughts and layouts. We’re also just talking about her life and her backstory, her influence, and her music, and how we wanted to portray that in the piece itself,” she says of the process. 

After two weeks of non-stop sewing in the textile room and fittings that took place in bathrooms at IYH, Searcy’s creation was complete, showcasing her design spirit while staying true to Fair’s personality and musical expression. 

“Isolde is a pop artist. A lot of her music that she’s come out with or coming out with is pop music but it has little sprinkles of classical. And she’s a great violinist so she has these nuggets of violin work and piano work, and she’s very inspired by the classics like Mozart and what they would be like in today’s society. She’s looking at who they would embody. We kind of ran off of that idea. She wanted something that encapsulated in more of a literal sense.”

Searcy wanted to make sure the look was sophisticated enough for an award show and rebellious and modern enough that it would echo Fair’s vibe, with “symbolic elements” incorporated throughout. The red “almost gothic” corset has a pure white bottom that features stripped sheet music from one of Fair’s favorite Mozart pieces. “Mozart?” is written in bold lettering. 

“It’s Mozart, question mark,” Searcy notes. “Who is he? What would he look like and what would that reflect in her?”

For Searcy, the response was mind-blowing. The countless hours constructing in Iovine and Young Hall and the long brainstorming sessions with her client paid off. A TikTok featuring the look reached over 2 million views and Fair’s outfit got shout-outs on major publications like Cosmopolitan. And when it comes to press, she’s open to it all – best-dressed and worst-dressed lists. Searcy embraces the critiques because they speak to her objective as a disruptive designer. 

“Looking into it, I was really leaning into both sides,” she remarks. “I loved it when they were like I’m not a fan of it. That was the first thing that popped into my head that… I make what I make and I want it to stand out. I want people to have an opinion.” 

Searcy has been focused on provocative pieces since high school. In between sewing dresses for formals and dances, she embarked on a senior year independent study looking at how fashion design has bolstered social justice movements, and how it’s going to do so in the future. Her line of garments reflected her research and that was a design turning point from hobby to mission. She chose to study at IYA because it compliments her passion, while teaching her skills that take her to new heights. 

She adds, “The reason I didn’t go the typical route of fashion school is because I really did want to focus on other aspects in addition to my fashion. I wanted to focus on business development, to learn to public speak, and get all the tools you learn here. Like, computer programming. I’m loving my dev class. It’s computer programming my portfolio!” 

With an interest in sustainability and even VR’s impact on fashion, Searcy is on a path to becoming a dynamic innovator in the industry. That means staying true to herself and her desire to rattle the runway. 

“I’m not trying to make the same dress that’s been made for the past ten years. I’m looking to make individual pieces, pieces that have a story and stand out. A little avant-garde, a little camp, a little controversial if anything,” she says. 

Fair’s look definitely remained faithful to Searcy’s intentions and she hopes to take on more clients and projects that shakes style up. First the Grammys… next, the world!

Campbelle Searcy and Isolde Fair, a singer, songwriter, violinist, and former Grammy winner herself, had a chance meeting a few months back that led them to a special moment. When Fair asked Searcy to design a piece for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, the look was nothing short of eye-catching, garnering attention from TikTok and fashion critics. Now Searcy is making a name for herself one inventive garment at a time. 

A Student Designs to Disrupt – And Takes Her Vision to The Grammys