DIVA sat down with Taylor Emery to find out more about her gender-neutral clothing designs
BY BELLA FRANCIS, IMAGES BY MERAKITAY
Taylor Emery is a fashion designer who has been making waves with her gender-neutral clothing designs and streetwear style.
Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Tay made the switch to fashion following a basketball career when she launched her clothing brand MerakiTay in April 2021.
The name is a combination of the Greek word Meraki, meaning to do something with love and devotion, and her own name Tay.
On why she started her brand, she told DIVA: “I’ve always loved fashion, but I also struggled to find clothes that I felt comfortable in. I didn’t like how men’s clothing didn’t account for my butt and how women’s clothing was too short or tight for me. So I made something in between the two that fits the butt and waist and more of a curvy body. It’s been amazing seeing so many other people feeling the same way I did and acquiring clothes from my brand as a result.”
What sets MerakiTay apart from other clothing brands is its focus on gender-neutral clothing options.
Beyond the clothing style, Tay told us how the adjustable sizing options they offer also help to create the unisex style they are renowned for. “The length of the shorts, in particular, is longer than the ‘normal’ women’s shorts but shorter than the ‘normal’ men’s shorts. It’s an in-between style. Not only that but the style itself is very versatile. It’s been used in so many outfits with different genders in different ways. Gender-neutral means making something that more than one gender can wear and be comfortable in. I was able to create that.”
One garment that has garnered particular attention is MerakiTay’s patent-pending Royalty boxers: modified boxers with an extra piece of fabric added for menstrual pad application. Videos showcasing the product have hit millions of views online, with comments praising their comfort and wearability.
When asked why gender neutral clothing options are so important, Tay told DIVA: “It’s super important. Society wants you to fit into this box of feminine or masculine. Men or women. It’s exciting and important to break that stigma and pave your own way. Being yourself is the number one important thing and more gender neutral designs allow that to happen.”
Since starting her brand in 2021, MerakiTay has garnered 163,000 followers on Instagram. With so much attention, you’re always going to get some trolls, but Tay chooses to focus on the uplifting comments: “I’ve seen so many positive responses from so many different people. Of course, you get the negative ones, but I choose to focus on the thousands of positive ones over the handful of negative ones. The amount of people I’ve helped and continue to make feel comfortable in their own skin and body has been so amazing. I’m fulfilled and grateful for being able to make such a huge difference in people’s lives.”
In the past few years, we have seen more and more queer designers stepping into the fashion industry to meet the needs of an ever-broadening market. As a queer designer herself, having the visibility that was not around as much when she was a kid is essential to Tay: “We all have a voice and a vision. It’s beautiful to see it all come to life. Not only that, but only we truly know what we want and need in fashion. It’s important that we create those things to continue to try to make this world a safe & comfortable space for us.”
This year, Tay is finishing up her veterinary degree and looks forward to spending even more time working on her clothing brand.
In an Instagram post celebrating the New Year, she wrote: “With moving back to Tampa in less than four months – I’m ecstatic to finally add the next steps of building MerakiTay. Cheers to finding a warehouse, building a team, and finally giving MerakiTay the time it deserves. GET READY! I’m coming harder than I ever have.”
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I absolutely love the concept behind MerakiTay’s gender-neutral clothing line. It’s refreshing to see a brand that prioritizes comfort and inclusivity, especially with innovative designs like the Royalty boxers. Taylor Emery’s dedication to creating versatile and stylish pieces that cater to all body types is truly inspiring. I can’t wait to see what new designs MerakiTay will introduce next. By the way, I’m really hoping for some hoodie essentials in the upcoming collection!