, a global lifestyle and social commerce brand, has launched the 2019 capsule dress collection in partnership with iconic supermodel Emme ’85.
Emme ’85 in the dress by Kerry Phelan ’19
The yearlong partnership consists of 12 new trend-forward dress styles that are perfect for the modern-day woman. Created by Emme and KBL Group International, the capsule spotlights two winning dresses from Fashion Without Limits (FWL) EMME Award winners at ϲ: Courtney Capazzi ’18 (2017 winner) and Kerry Phelan ’19 (2018 winner).
The College of Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Design and Emme co-founded FWL in an effort to teach young fashion designers over the course of their four-year college education about inclusive fashion design as a foundational solution for approximately 100 million women above a size 12 in the U.S. who cannot find trend-forward, well-fitting and fashionable clothing options.
“Going into our sixth year, we’ve helped shift the way young fashion designers conceptually think about the women and men they design for, by opening their aperture to size,” says Emme. “I am delighted that Ashley Stewart (now for a second year) wanted to include the FWL winning dress(es) along with my ME by EMME dress collection. It’s a wonderful opportunity to applaud inclusive fashion within design schools that celebrate every woman’s body.”
Phelan, a senior majoring in fashion design with a minor in retail management, designed the 2018 lace peplum-winning dress in celebration of the female body and her powerful curves.
“I’m driven to find ways to use fashion as a vehicle to express my voice,” says Phelan. “This [FWL] program has given me the chance to put more meaning into my work and strive to make a change.”
Additionally, 2017 FWL EMME Award winner Courtney Capazzi’s sell-out, salmon-colored dress earned her another season online at Ashley Stewart in two color ways along with the ME by EMME collection. ME by EMME dresses are available for purchase online at and range in price from $59.50 – $69.50.
