Tendai Phillips, the Indianapolis-based fashion designer known for her bold and trend-defying style, recently spoke to the Professional Women’s Group, sharing her journey and the life lessons that shape her creative process.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Tendai moved to the U.S. with her father in 2006. She earned her fashion design degree from The Art Institute of Indianapolis in 2015 and quickly began making waves in the industry. In 2021, she became the inaugural winner of the SHEIN X Global Challenge, a milestone that catapulted her into the spotlight. Through the Shein X incubator program, Tendai’s daring designs sold out quickly, showcasing her unique voice in fashion.
As the founder and creative director of REDEFINITION, Tendai is constantly exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries. “I may be inspired by trends, but I don’t follow them. I want to create my own,” she said. Her influences span pop culture, Afro Pop, K-pop, and Japanese Pop, blending global aesthetics into a style that’s distinctly her own.
In September, pieces from her newest line, Genevere Antonei, (link to Instagram post with her pieces?) were featured in the 2025 Stepping Out in Style fashion show, highlighting her vision for accessible, sophisticated, and timeless clothing.
Tendai’s story is not just about fashion—it’s about resilience, creativity, and courage. Here are six powerful lessons she shared:
Six Lessons from Tendai Phillips’ Journey:
- Find inspiration in everything.
“Anything you go through can become inspiration for your art. The beautiful things and the ugly things in life. Take it all in.” - Designing takes courage.
“Telling your story through your art means putting yourself in a vulnerable position and hoping people will see and appreciate you for who you are.” - Be open to feedback.
“We can fall in love with our own ideas too much. You need to be willing to hear feedback—especially from trusted friends who will be brutally honest.” - Choose boldness over ease.
“Why choose the easy fabric? Why do what everyone else is doing? Push for the bold choice or the custom print to not blend in.” - Start by learning from others.
“There’s no reason to start from scratch. Deconstruct a piece you love and learn how it was made. Then make it your own.” - Build in room for change.
“I don’t get things right automatically the first time, and the bodies of the people who wear my clothes are going to change too. It all needs to be able to evolve.”
