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Ai LIVE: Simply Buckhead Magazine Spotlights AiA Fashion Students in 10-page Spread

Ever wonder what it’s like to work for a fashion and lifestyle magazine—even selecting the talent that will be featured on its cover? In this edition of Ai LIVE, we talk with two members of the team at Simply Buckhead Magazine—Joanne Hayes, Publisher & Founder and Jennifer Franklin, Senior Contributing Editor—about everything from their experiences in styling a photo shoot to their recent 10-page spread featuring fashion designs by students from The Art Institute of Atlanta.

Hayes and Franklin started Simply Buckhead ten years ago. In the years since, they’ve built a strong relationship with others in the local fashion industry—including local designers, photographers, fashion vendors, graphic designers, and freelance writers. They’ve also forged a collaboration with The Art Institute of Atlanta’s Fashion Program Chair, Octavius Terry.

Terry invited Hayes to attend the March 2020 graduate fashion show at The Art Institute of Atlanta. “I fell in love with the fashions on the runway,” Hays says. She was inspired to help the students to increase their visibility and showcase their talent to a wider audience.

From that experience, the September 2020 cover story of Simply Buckhead was born. The fashion designs were professionally styled for the magazine with Rolex watches, and jewelry from Susan Lee. Additional brands utilized included Bloomingdales, Nieman Marcus, and Jimmy Choo.

Terry adds that the fashion design students’ response to the magazine was “amazing,” adding that in today’s uncertain environment, the magazine spread and notoriety not only inspired the young designers—but also the larger fashion community.

Watch the video HERE to learn more about the magazine story, cover shoot, and fashion show.