City To Country Magazine Sept/Oct 2016 Sept/Oct 2016 Digital | Page 24

Michael

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One of a kind designs created just for you!
PROVIDED BY MICHAEL EMMANUEL COUTURE DESIGNS
PHOTOGRAPHER, SEAN KIMBEL
“For fashion is for those whose flair, style, and elegance symbolize differences. Fashion is a style statement of life.”
Michael Emmanuel innocently began in New York City in the early 1980s when he paid a visit to a friend who was a
fashion designer and a runway model. Michael watched in utter amazement as his friend finished sewing a fierce garment in
what seemed like record time. Sensing Michael’s curiosity, his friend trained him on the basics of using a sewing machine,
utilizing different fabrics, and creating breathtaking designs. Before long, Michael developed his own unparalleled and
phenomenal vision, and his interest for fashion, creativity, and style quickly developed and came to life.
As expected, the word would quickly get out about the designer who had the ability to take the world by storm. In 1983,
he was introduced to the National Black Theater in Harlem, where he would become the costume designer for several
off-Broadway plays, such as The Legacy (which aired on CBS), Mamma’s Little Boys, The Fruits of Miss Morning, The Song of
Sheba, Beyond the Call of Duty, and The Crescent Tail’s, the latter for which he would be nominated for an Audelco Award
for Best Costume Designer in an Off-Broadway Play. His dedication to and passion for his craft would also catch the eye
of world-renowned costume designer, Judy Dearing, who quickly took him under her wing as her personal assistant for
the play Return of the Ben-to (An African Heritage Story).
Michael Emmanuel’s designs can be found on his website at www.michaelemmanuelcouture.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN KIMBEL

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CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN KIMBEL

1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY

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