TV: Have you had a favorite celebrity dressing moment so far?

AL: Recently I dressed a player from the New York Liberty. That was especially exciting because she’s also Bahamian, which felt very personal to me. You don’t often run into Bahamians outside of Florida, so it was a special experience.

TV: What are some things you’ve learned—and maybe unlearned—about having your own brand?

AL: One thing I’ve been unlearning is the idea of “making it.” When you’re younger, you look at celebrities, entrepreneurs, and successful creatives and think there’s some destination where they’ve finally arrived. You think, Once I get there, I’ll have made it.

But as I’ve gotten older and had more conversations with people I admire, I’ve realized that nobody really feels that way. Everyone is still figuring things out. Social media often creates the illusion that success is a straight upward line, but life doesn’t work like that. There are ups, downs, circles, detours, and unexpected turns. The biggest lesson has been understanding that everyone’s journey is far messier than it appears from the outside.

TV: Speaking of exciting opportunities, how did it feel when Teen Vogue approached you to create merchandise for Teen Vogue Fest?

AL: Honestly, it felt like another full-circle moment. While I was at Parsons, I applied for a lot of scholarships, fellowships, and development programs. In 2023, I was selected as one of the winners of the Teen Vogue Generation Next Prize, which was really my introduction to the Teen Vogue community. That experience allowed me to participate in mentorship opportunities and connect with so many incredible people.

Then, in 2024, I worked on a collaboration between Teen Vogue and the Take Me Fishing organization. Through those experiences, I’ve really grown to love the Teen Vogue community. Every interaction has been meaningful, and I always walk away learning something new.

I wanted to create something that reflected not only my evolution as a designer, but also the evolution of the people growing alongside Teen Vogue. The festival is rooted in New York City, which played a huge role in my thinking. I started asking myself what people in my community—and people who have grown up with Teen Vogue—really need right now. A lot of people are craving community. They’re craving opportunities to gather, connect, and experience joy together. That’s what inspired me to create a piece centered around the feeling of a New York block party.

TV: You’ve already accomplished so many things you’ve dreamed about. What are some goals you have for the brand moving forward? What’s next?

AL: Right now, I’m really interested in asking: What do people think of when they hear the name Ahmrii Lorraine? What elements of the brand feel most recognizable? I’ve always loved the more artistic, couture-oriented side of my work, and I definitely want to continue pushing that forward.