Meet Wendy Newman | Photographer/Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Newman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy, how does your business help the community?
I would like to think that my community work (funded by Wendy Newman Designs) Is one of the4 most valuable things I do. It’s the reason I get up in the morning. I photograph terminally ill children, for free in Asheville and surrounding areas as well as inn Florida which is where I am from and visit frequently. I had the honor of being On e of the top four finalists in the WLOS Person Of the Year because of my work which you can find on FB Wendy’s Cancer Warriors. https://www.facebook.com/wendyscancerwarriors/

Check it out here also.
https://wendynewmandesigns.com/pages/wendys-cancer-warriors

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At the age of eight, I received two of the most important gifts that would become the passions of my life’. My first camera was under the Christmas tree and then I got my first sewing machine for my birthday. The world of fashion opened up to me as I sewed my own clothes every week, and wore them to school to rave reviews. I didn’t come from a family with great wealth so I learned early to maximize every yard of fabric and every roll of 24 exposure film. Yes, I said film. After receiving a degree in Fashion Design from Miami International University of Art and Design, I spent the next 3 years perfecting my design and sewing skills.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I always take my guests hiking in the Dupont forest and of course to Triple Falls. Craggy Gardens is a must see with an afternoon picnic. We would raft and zip line one day near Marshall. We would take a Segway tour of downtown. I would take them on a 25 mile e bike ride through Biltmore Estate and pack a picnic to eat by the lake. I would plan it around the sunflowers blooming for incredible photos.
We would spend a day in the River Arts District visiting galleries and hopefully land on an Uncommon market Sunday. WE would eat at Baby Bull or Bull and Beggar or Rosa Bees, so many options thee and we would have to do a bike ride all through the river Arts district.
We would go downtown to the top of the AC Capella on 9 for a drink and amazing views of downtown. Probably sneak in a few appetizers. Head down to Chestnut, Limones, Curate or Posada for dinner, wherever we were lucky enough to get reservations. I would take them on a photography tour and show them all the wonderful sights Asheville has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Most of my photographic career has been photographing people. Until 6 years ago when I captured some images of a few iconic downtown Asheville buildings and started creating mandalas from them. A friend commented that it would make a great scarf, so I made one out of it. Then I decided to create fabric with all the mandalas and make a pair of leggings. I gave my girlfriend that pair as a goodbye present at a ladies luncheon and took orders for 17 pairs that same day, without even having a website. I was launched at lunch. The next day, Biltmore Estate called with an order, followed by John Cramm at New Morning Gallery.

Website: wendynewmandesigns.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendynewmandesigns/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendynewmandesigns/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendynewmandesigns/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCekdlEB59fgDsfdblaEXP8A

Image Credits
Photos by Steve and Wendy Newman