A senior fashion merchandising major will be showcased in Memphis' first RAW: natural born artist Showcase, Kaleidoscope, tentatively set for sometime in June.
From showcasing her men's clothing line, Jobe88, at Memphis Fashion Weekend to being picked as a featured artist for Memphis' first RAWartist Showcase, Aharon Thomas is slowly getting her name, as well as her designs, out to the public as a force to be reckoned with.
"RAW has created an experience that can make artists crave and strive to become the hottest and most wanted in the world. I am a part of that and I am already having so much fun telling my peers about it, along with other artists who, I feel, would appreciate RAW and all they do for artist of all kinds," Thomas said.
RAW is an independent arts organization started by fashion designer Heidi Luerra that was created for artists, by artists. The organization promotes creativity through different forms of art, such as film, fashion, music, visual and performing art, as well as hairstylists and makeup artists.
RAW's mission is to provide artists with tools and resources. It wants artists to fight the good fight and promote themselves independently by giving them the right things to do so.
Thomas' line, Jobe88, is a line for men of all colors and heights who enjoy having an eclectic style with inspiration from geometric shapes and a wide range of colors.
"I believe the unique touch that is Aharon is what caught the attention of RAW. The organization is all about helping artists gain resources and the tools they need to further their careers in the industry of their choosing," said Thomas' godsister Shenequa Fowler, a graphic design major at Memphis College of Art.
Aharon discovered RAW through Fowler, and was immediately sold on the organization after looking at their website. She sent in her portfolio and within the same hour heard back from Foster. By the next day, she also had a phone conference with Foster and was booked with RAWartists.
"I have known Aharon since I was younger; she's like a sister. She is a very determined and talented artist. I fully believe in her and that her work ethic will take her far, and when I found out about her wanting to submit pieces for fashion week I wanted to help any way I could," Fowler said.
Working with RAW has been a positive experience for Thomas. She has been able to be around artists with similar goals as her. She is also able to work with investors and consumers who are interested in her line while networking with her fellow RAW artists. She believes that being involved with the organization, she will be one step closer to her dream, being a costume designer for Walt Disney World Company.
"I am always amazed by any group of people who do one thing - believe in themselves. To have the RAW organization believe in the designers, makeup artists, singers, and others that they choose to be a part of the organization is so amazing. Memphis does not have many outlets for artistic people and RAW has come to save the day for those artists who are so gifted, and talented, and just need to be surrounded by the right kind of people and given an opportunity to shine," Thomas said.
