Mary Kathryn Wells, the Southern expat behind Smart Fitzjerrell, wants to get her hands on Drew Barrymore, loves shopping at indie boutiques like Blue Bag and Armoire, and can't live without white t-shirts from American Apparel. Find out more about this fabulous emerging talent below!

How would you say your childhood influenced your design aesthetic?
I grew up in Little Rock and I absolutely love the colorful festivity and flattering shapes that Southern women wear. I aim to merge the worlds of old-school, proper dressing—which I associate with my childhood in Arkansas—with a more modern, funky aesthetic that's a bit downtown. All the best parties you go to have a great mix of people, and in my book, it's the same with clothing.

Who or what influenced your current collection? Do you have certain go-to places for inspiration?
I always design the clothes that I want to wear. I figure out what's missing from my closet, what I want to wear for all the different things I do, and then how to design these styles in ways that are very wearable + flattering + comfortable. So I suppose that I influence my current collections, and my closet is my go-to place for inspiration—Smart Fitzjerrell is very much a reflection of my personality.

What current trend would you love to see go away for good?
When did not smiling become so cool? You've got all these ad campaigns with really beautiful clothes but the models look like they're in pain. And then there's the too-cool-for-schoolness of the nightlife party photography craze. The people being photographed are unquestionably directional in their fashion, but it's like no one is allowed to smile. Maybe they're just too cool to smile? I don't get it.

What advice would you give to a designer who is just starting out?
If you're going to start your own collection, I'd recommend signing up for Astor Wines' discount program, because you're going to need a lot of wine and you're going to be too broke to afford to buy it. But probably the most important advice I can share is to celebrate the little successes. Don't let them go by unnoticed. After my first private sale, a little crew of my best friends stayed and had an impromptu party to celebrate. We were drinking Prosecco, ordering in, dancing and laughing all night. Hands-down the best celebration of all the work I'd put into Smart Fitzjerrell!

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