This October, the Lotus Fashion Collective will host a dynamic, multi-day Fashion Camp designed to inspire and empower a diverse group of young creatives in Chattanooga. Led by two seasoned artists—Shanna Forrestall and Laura Joyner—the program will select six emerging artists, ages 16–24, through a community-wide open call. Ideal applicants include aspiring designers, painters, stylists, writers, performers, and visual artists who are passionate about creativity, self-expression, and social impact. The camp will take place over six immersive days during Fall Break, culminating in a live fashion show featuring each participant’s original, hand-crafted look.
Each day of the workshop during the area Fall Break (Oct 13-17, 2025, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m.) at the ChattLab in Chattanooga, TN will blend storytelling, visual design, hands-on art-making, and mentorship.
As part of the Fashion Camp experience, participants will engage in a powerful module called The History of Resistance Through Fashion, adapted from Shanna Forrestall’s upcoming course The Intentional Influencer. This workshop explores how clothing has historically been used as a tool for protest, identity, and empowerment—from Gandhi’s homespun khadi to punk’s DIY rebellion, the Black Panther Party’s bold uniforms, and the expressive fashion of feminist and queer movements. Students will study real-world examples of how marginalized voices have used style and self-expression to reclaim power and challenge oppressive systems.
Building on this foundation, Shanna will guide participants through storytelling and identity-based exercises to help them define the values and messages they want to communicate through fashion. Artist and co-instructor Laura Joyner will then lead the hands-on design process, helping each participant paint visuals, incorporate text or symbols, and alter their chosen garments using upcycled materials.
Through this collaborative mentorship, students will create wearable works of art that visually reflect their beliefs and lived experiences. This process not only teaches fashion as a powerful tool for creative resistance, but also empowers young people to find their voice, express it with confidence, and connect their art to real-world impact.
The week will culminate in a vibrant public fashion show at Barking Legs Theater on the afternoon of Saturday, October 18th that incorporates not only visual art, but also music and performative elements drawn from the students' creative input. Family, friends, and community members will be invited to celebrate the showcase, offering participants the unique experience of presenting their work in a professional, high-profile setting.
This event is sponsored by Artsbuild, Art120, 4FC Productions, Lo Custom Art and the Lotus Fashion Collective.
The workshop will be facilitated by Shanna Forrestall & Laura Joyner
Laura Joyner, the creative force behind Lo Design Art, is a Chattanooga-based artist and designer celebrated for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Known for her bold, street-art-inspired aesthetic, Laura paints vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces on everything from clothing and accessories to furniture and murals. Her work is rooted in the belief that art should be wearable, expressive, and unafraid to stand out—making her the ideal mentor for young artists exploring identity and social messaging through fashion.
A hairdresser turned artist, Laura brings both lived experience and deep relatability to her teaching. She has been featured in Fashion Mannuscript magazine and is a three-time featured designer with Chattanooga Fashion Expo, where she debuted her first full painted collection as the closing show to rave reviews. Her latest collection, “Florals in Bloom,” celebrates vibrant womanhood and unapologetic self-expression. With a style that draws from graffiti, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau, Laura is now expanding her repertoire by learning the fine art of silk painting. At Art 120’s Fashion Camp, Laura will guide participants in turning personal mission statements into hand-painted fashion pieces—helping a new generation of artists bring purpose to life through creativity.
Shanna Forrestall is a Chattanooga-based creative producer, storyteller, and performative artist whose work explores identity, emotion, and transformation through immersive, cross-disciplinary experiences. With deep roots in fashion storytelling, she served as Creative Producer for the Chattanooga Fashion Expo (CFE) for four years, helping emerging and experienced designers bring bold narratives to life on the runway. CFE has also hosted Fashion Camps for youth. CFE has recently rebranded as the Lotus Fashion Collective to encompass a global footprint. Her earlier work with New Orleans Fashion Week cemented her commitment to uplifting diverse voices through intentional, purpose-driven fashion.
Shanna is also an experienced educator and mentor who has worked with young adults around the world for decades, using art to teach, heal, and inspire. She currently manages a team of five neurodiverse young adults as part of her creative collaborations under the My Calm World brand. Shanna is also developing a new teaching series, The Intentional Influencer, which will empower young adults internationally to define their life’s passion and express it with purpose in the digital world. The materials created for Fashion Camp will be part of this growing educational platform.
Shanna recently completed a two-week residency at La Maison de Beaumont in Beaumont-de-Pertuis, France, where she collaborated with artists from around the world. Her projects included painting a custom dress using local foliage in partnership with a French fashion designer, and serving as Creative Director for acclaimed photographer Robert Koudijs—developing and directing two unique photo book concepts during a four-day shoot. At Art 120’s Fashion Camp, Shanna brings her signature mix of vision, heart, and hands-on leadership—guiding young artists and designers to define their voice and express it powerfully through wearable, sustainable art. Shanna’s Imdb