Tessa Clark: Minimal unrefined luxury can make a big statement

After being eliminated just before the Project Runway season 17 finale, Tessa Clark stayed true to herself, a trait that could give her fashion longevity.

Tessa Clark might not have been the boldest designer on Project Runway season 17, but she had strong convictions. Her minimalist style and muted color palette came through in each and every episode. Although she came up just short of the finale, Clark could have a huge impact on fashion.

Through this season of Project Runway, Clark didn’t back down from her vision. While other designers looked to impress with controversial themes, bold color statements and other questionable looks, Clark looked to find the beauty in the imperfections.

Looking at her most successful looks, she captured a strong, independent woman. In a way, the designs revealed a woman who knew herself and embraced that confidence.

While she might have had a few moments with the judges over her finishing skills, she knew who she was as a designer. Although a broader arc in the competition could have propelled her to the finale, the idea that she could never waiver in her beliefs does need to be celebrated.

Recently, I chatted with Tessa Clark about her experience and her design ideals. She said that she feels that her “my designs are timeless, ageless, and meant to be lived in. I believe my aesthetic can appeal to anyone that appreciates quality textiles and minimal silhouettes.”

In a world that embraces the extreme, that moment of simplicity needs to be rediscovered. Still, the pull of social media cannot be ignored, and Clark excelled in those challenges. This season’s Flash Sales showed how social media and a strong vision can push a designer’s vision forward.

She said, “social media is a huge part of my business as an emerging designer. It’s a tool and platform that I use to reach various audiences that otherwise might not be able to find my brand. Fashion is a saturated market, so it’s important that emerging designers constantly put new work and inspiration out there.”

Still, the judges and mentor Christian Siriano wanted to push the designers to achieve their best selves. Clark said, “I admire and appreciated Christian’s mentorship tremendously. He seemed to understand my aesthetics, and appreciate my taste in textiles.“

In her final challenge, Clark had to create a full fashion experience. This idea seems to be a new direction for the fashion world. While some people want to embrace the new, it will take adjustment.

Clark said, “fashion presentations and experiences are definitely becoming more and more common. While runways are classic, I like the idea of creating an experiential event. I think it allows viewers, buyers, influencers, stylists, etc. to connect with the brand and understand the brand. It’s about storytelling. I like that.“

Now that Project Runway has ended, Clark and her brand Grind and Glaze have lots planned. Clark said, “my fall collection is going into production in the next couple of months! This will be my second produced collection. I sell my designs online at grindandglaze.com and idlewildwoman.com and in store at Idlewild Woman in Cincinnati, Ohio where I live.”

The biggest takeaway from talking to Tessa Clark is the understanding that staying true to yourself and your vision is key in the fashion world. While the glory of winning Project Runway can be tremendous, it shouldn’t come with compromising your values.

In a way, Clark celebrates a mindset of being a strong woman. The clothes do not define a person yet convictions and beliefs do. Shouldn’t that set of value be celebrated by more women?

What do your fashion choices say about you? Could you stay true to your convictions in the face of big reward?