Next in Fashion’s Amari Carter On Finding Her “Inner Peace” With Help From The Show | Exclusive
Bazaar Arabia writer Navya Gupta speaks to Season 2’s Top 5 finalist about her experience on the fashion forward Netflix competition series…
While most reality competition shows are usually known for their catty and competitive contestants and never-ending salacious drama, Netflix’s Next in Fashion is a refreshing display of kindness, camaraderie, and genuine emotion.
The one contestant we couldn’t help but root for? Amari Carter. This “Georgian Peach” (as she self-proclaims) made it into the Top 5 designers this season and wowed us with not only her incredibly feminine, yet edgy designs, but also her shy smiles and adorable heart.
Speaking with Bazaar Arabia on a relaxing Saturday evening in March, exchanging nail art ideas and woes on dating in modern times, the 26-year-old Atlanta-based designer and London College of Fashion alumna reveals her journey in her own words.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What made you decide to go on the show? Was it a difficult decision?
Amari Carter (AC): At first, I was definitely extremely hesitant. I remember telling my grandma “Oh my gosh, this show is coming out, it seems exciting, but I don’t know if I want to see myself on television…” And my grandma explained, “It’s a once in a lifetime thing, you know. You have to do it. It’s only going to happen once. When are you going to take that leap of faith and just do something you’ve never done before?”
I feel like I’ve always played it safe in life. Finish school, go get a job, live on a salary instead of just taking that leap into something you dream of or want. I decided to just take that leap and do something I’ve never done before.
HBA: One of your greatest inspirations is your grandmother, there was even a moment on the show where you designed a dress in homage to her style. How does she feel about your time on the show?
AC: Although my grandmother unfortunately passed shortly after filming the show, I know she’s rejoicing. I feel like she’s always with me. I just feel so much positivity and gratefulness.
HBA: You mentioned being the ‘princess’ of your family on the show. How was it like returning back home from the show? Did you get the princess treatment?
AC: My family is used to my personality, so watching it was like “oh this is so Amari… this is exactly what we get at home.” Being home, there is no drastic change because I come from a very humble, grounded family. My mom is still cooking for me, my dad is still being my dad… Both of my parents were so proud, they felt like I represented them so well. And both my parents even shed tears of joy in seeing their daughter on television and seeing that the way they raised me turned out [so well]. They were just so proud, and so ecstatic for new beginnings.
HBA: And are you proud of what you’ve accomplished?
AC: I’m not going to lie, seeing yourself on TV is wild. You’re like “Oh my god, why would you say that? Like, what are you doing girl?” But I would say, it’s been almost a year since filming, and watching yourself really shows how far you’ve come. Not just as a designer, but also as a person. I’ve come so far; I’ve grown, I’ve evolved. I feel more grounded, more relaxed than I thought I would be. I thought that I would be stressed and overwhelmed, and now there’s just this sense of calmness.
HBA: Since the show, you’ve been gaining online followers everywhere. What is the story behind your Instagram username @napsnlollipops?
AC: It’s because I love to sleep. I’m a nap girl. It just gives me that extra oomph to keep going. And, I love candy. Skittles, Sour Patch Kids (especially the watermelon)… I’m like a candy fanatic. So I created that and everyone lives for naps and lollipops.
HBA: So did you get enough sleep while on the show?
AC: Never. Behind the scenes, they would have to wake me up. [They would say] “Amari, it’s your turn to go for the critique” “No sleeping Amari!”, and I would be taking a nap.
HBA: Have your designs changed since being on the show? Has doing some out-there challenges changed your aesthetic in any way?
AC: It has not changed my aesthetic. My aesthetic is pretty strong in the sense of edgy. But I feel like being on the show and trying new things made me feel more confident as a designer. I don’t second guess myself pretty much anymore now when it comes to my designs. I feel like it’s pushed me in my own inner confidence, which is shocking because I was trying all kinds of things which I didn’t all succeed in. But it gave me the confidence to know that if you try, at least you try. I think I’ve always been hesitant to try. But being on the show, it’s given me that competence to try anything that I want.
HBA: What was your favourite look on the show? Any challenge that particularly stood out to you?
AC: I was so obsessed with my thrift challenge. I loved that skirt, I love that top. Those are things I would wear and sell, so that was definitely [my favourite] when it comes to design and aesthetics. When it came to growth and working with others, I would say my collaboration with Nigel Xavier. He let me take the lead when it came to the silhouettes. He really let me shine when it came to the silhouettes of our designs together, and the combination with his textiles came out so well. I also love my collab with Desyrée Nicole. I feel like between Nigel and Des, they really have created balance in my life.
HBA: What was the best part about being on the show?
AC: [The fact that] you can truly be yourself without judgement. Being in what feels like such a safe space where you know people around you are not going to judge you for who you are brings out the best in you. And I feel like that‘s why you don’t see [any drama] is because [the cast] brought out the best in me.
HBA: What was the hardest part about being on the show?
AC: I’m really big on family, they are everything to me. So just not being able to talk to them [was the hardest part]. Also, I didn’t get to see my grandma that month. That was really difficult. On a lighter note, not being able to get my nails done on time. That was a struggle. I couldn’t even go to my little every two weeks appointment!
HBA: Are you still close with any of your Next in Fashion castmates? Do you still speak with any of the contestants on a regular basis?
AC: Yes! Des [Desyrée Nicole] is my best friend. Nigel and I are super close, I love Deontré, and Megan is a phenomenal girl. I speak to her [Megan O’Cain] every day. James, I absolutely love [him]. Eliana is so amazing. The rest of the cast is just super positive. Everyone is so supportive and so kind. It’s rare to be surrounded by so many kind people. And when it comes to the hosts, Tan France and Gigi Hadid, they are phenomenal human beings. I don’t say that lightly. They made set feel like home. The reason we’re able to get such an authentic part of me is because Tan and Gigi really champion being yourself.
I don’t have a lot of friends, and now some of my castmates are my really close friends. Some I’ve even spent New Year’s with! I spend time with them, they check on me, and I just feel so loved. They really push me and are always gassing me up. Just having that support system, not only from the cast, but from [Tan and Gigi]. I also want to highlight the people behind the scenes. When I say they’re great, my lord, they are amazing.
HBA: How was it like working with Season 2 Winner Nigel Xavier?
AC: That was one of my top moments. He is an amazing person. He’s so genuine and beyond talented. And he really championed me [during our collab challenge]. Nigel really created a sense of awareness when it came to my stress and overthinking but also truly believing in my own abilities. He also taught me a new way of thinking like I can be stressed but I don’t necessarily have to show it. We were both able to play on each other’s strength and I would say overall it created magic.
HBA: Will we soon get to see another collaboration between you and Nigel?
AC: I can neither confirm nor deny… But you can hope for a collab between one of the people I’ve worked with on the show…
HBA: The question on everybody’s minds… What’s ‘Next in Amari’? What are you working on right now and what are your plans for the future?
AC: Oh my gosh, [I have] so many things in the works. I actually just finished shooting one of my pieces from my denim mini-series. It’s a small capsule collection for four denim pieces. I just relaunched my website as well; it’s more elevated to cater my aesthetics and show what I have to offer. And these pieces are to die for! I wore the denim set to the premiere party.
I’ve also expanded into candles. They’re called Inner Peace. And it’s pretty much totally me. It reflects my inner confidence and calm. It’s actually in collaboration with Desyrée’s fiancé Gab, who has a candle-making company called Elyse Candles. It’s phenomenal.
I’m going to continue to grow my business and continue to design things that I see fit for my customers but also myself. I truly have always stayed in the realm of creating pieces for my alter ego. At my sample making company, Yor Atelier, we create ideation to 3D products for emerging designers, and we work with many of the Next in Fashion castmates! We work with Todd Patrick which is Des’s brand, we work with Megan, and we’re going to be working with Deontré soon!
There you have it! We don’t know about you, but if there really was a show called Next in Amari, We’d be the first to watch it.
Lead Image Courtesy: / @nextinfashion
