Paris in the South

What began as a creative distraction during the quiet days of the pandemic has blossomed into one of Georgia’s most heartfelt and colorful fashion stories. Mandi Paris Designs, a hand-painted clothing and fabric brand, is where art meets Southern grace—and where personal loss has been transformed into beauty, purpose, and joy.

Paris, a former teacher with an unshakable creative streak, first found her spark while scrolling Spoonflower.com, a website where artists upload their own patterns for fabric and wallpaper. “One day I saw the option to upload my own art,” she says. “I started playing around and realized I could make my own fabric out of the things I’d been painting just for fun.” What started as a side project during COVID quickly gained traction—crafters began ordering her bold, Southern-inspired fabrics, and before long, Mandi was dreaming up ways to turn her art into fashion.

Her line, now carried online and in select boutiques across the South, is known for its small-batch Southern couture—classic silhouettes, vibrant prints, and meaningful details. Each piece begins as an original painting, transformed into custom fabric that’s as durable as it is beautiful. “Everything I design has to hold up in the wash, pack easily for travel, and feel as good as it looks,” she says. Thoughtful touches like pockets, fully lined interiors, and quality trims make her pieces both stylish and practical.

Paris’s designs are inspired by her Georgia roots—peach blossoms, pecan groves, coastal sunsets, and college pride. Signature styles include the Alex dress, a vintage-cut favorite named for her business partner, and the muumuu, affectionately dubbed “not your mama’s house dress.” “I design what I love,” she says. “Clothes that are comfortable, flattering, and make people happy.” Each limited-edition run typically includes just twenty garments per style, making every piece a collectible part of her artistic journey.

But behind the color and creativity is a story of courage and love. Paris’s late daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was the heart that inspired it all. Diagnosed with leukemia as a child, Mary possessed an extraordinary spirit—compassionate, giving, and wise beyond her years. During her hospital stays, she and her mom painted together as a way to find joy amid hardship. Years later, Paris discovered her daughter’s old sketchbook filled with outfit designs that mirror her own. “It’s like she’s guiding me,” Paris says. “Her spirit is in every piece.”

To honor Mary’s memory, Paris donates all profits from her pajama line to childhood cancer research through a fund she co-founded with other families. Their foundation has raised over $1 million, helping fuel national studies supported by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (now Blood Cancer United).

From her flagship boutique in downtown Greensboro to her growing online following, Paris continues to share her joy and artistry through every brushstroke and stitch. “You can curl up after loss, or you can keep living,” she says. “This business is my way of choosing joy—and sharing it through color, comfort, and heart.”

Explore her full collection at mandiparisdesigns.com.