i am wm
Translating the aesthetics of street art and the effects of cultural movements on the current urban landscape into ready-to-wear wearable art and textile design is the main focus of the WHITNEY MANNEY label.
Our textiles are hand-created
and digitally manipulated in the studio through experimenting
with various traditional fibers techniques.
From sample to finished product:
we conceptualize, drape, draft, grade, and construct all
of our silhouettes.
To ensure quality, we work with various fabric print services
to achieve the best and work towards that same standard in
the studio with our hand-created fabrics.
Through every garment and accessory, we challenge you to wear your statement.
"My inspiration to create wearable art and textiles started at the age of thirteen, not because I was obsessed with fashion but because I was tired of growing out of my clothes so quickly.
Remixing old clothes into my own creations inspired me to create the WHITNEY MANNEY label. "
With a desire to create
art in a wearable format,
Manney creates garments and textile designs under
her independent label
WHITNEY MANNEY.
A Kansas City, MO native, Whitney Manney graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2012 with a BFA in Fibers.
Manney's work has been featured in major Kansas City press outlets and numerous art/fashion blogs.
★ 2021 American Craft Council Emerging Artist Cohort
★ 2020 JOANN Minority Creative
★ 2017 AltCap Your Business
★ 2015 M-AAA Artistic Innovations
★ 2013 ArtsKC Inspiration Grant recipient
Manney has made an impact in the community through teaching partnerships with the HALO Foundation and various area schools.
Her collections have been retailed at boutiques, stores, runways & Galleries:
★ Halls Kansas City
★ The Box Gallery & UMKC Gallery of Art
★ Kansas City Fashion Week
★ Saint Louis Fashion Week
★ Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University
★ Every Woman Biennial NYC
★ H&R Block Artspace
Manney currently operates her eponymous fashion label in StudioWM in Westside Kansas City. Creating a narrative between color and pattern is a signature of Manney's work.
“My job isn't done until everybody in
the world believes fashion is art.”
— Whitney Manney
Featured on the blog
