From Pageant Star to Fashion Powerhouse: Alycesaundra Lyerly’s 10th NYFW Show
By Nadgeena Jerome
At just 17 years old, Alycesaundra Lyerly is no stranger to fashion. A former child star from TLC’s “Toddlers & Tiaras,” she has transformed from pageant royalty into a formidable force in haute couture. As she unveiled her Denim Dreams collection by Alycesaundral at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), Lyerly celebrated an impressive milestone, her 10th consecutive collection with Art Hearts Fashion.
Fashion enthusiasts and industry insiders gathered at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on Saturday, February 8, 2025 for the highly anticipated debut of Denim Dreams. Attendees witnessed a visually stunning showcase of Western-inspired opulence, where rhinestones met runway-worthy designs.
A Decade of Defying Expectations
Lyerly’s journey into the world of fashion was anything but ordinary. At 7, she made history as the youngest designer to showcase her work on the NYFW stage. Over the years, her brand evolved, seamlessly blending high-fashion aesthetics with a commitment to sustainability.
“I grew up designing for the runway—literally. This 10-year milestone at NYFW is a dream come true,” she shared. “Denim Dreams is all about making sustainable fashion feel luxurious, wearable, and fun.”
A true fashion prodigy, she was honored with the “Couture Designer of the Year” award, presented by Beauty It’s Everywhere, on Friday, February 7, 2025.
Sustainability Meets High Fashion
Her newest collection, Denim Dreams, epitomized this vision. Inspired by Western glamour, it merged rhinestone-studded denim with couture silhouettes, delivering festival-ready looks that were as dazzling as they were wearable.
“The inspiration was really country music festival meets the red carpet,” Lyerly explained. “I wanted to show that women can be both comfortable and dressy at the same time, and I love a timeless denim look. All of the looks were special to me, and I honestly would wear all of them.”
The collection, which redefines sustainable luxury, left the audience in awe as models strutted down the runway in ultra-glam cowgirl couture.
A Legacy of Creativity
Lyerly credits her grandmothers, both designers, for inspiring her love of fashion.
“I guess you could say I inherited my passion and creative genius from them. I love to learn and to create, so it was a natural fit. I made my first dress at age 4 and showed my first collection at age 7, she said.”
Looking ahead, Lyerly is set to expand her brand globally.
“This year, you may see my designs in Toronto and Paris. Everyone stylish wears my designs. My clients are the most beautiful people, and their support means the world to me. I love designing for all people, but I would say my target market is women aged five to fifty-five. I create one-of-a-kind pieces for one-of-a-kind individuals, she added.”
Despite her undeniable success, Lyerly envisions a future beyond fashion.
“People always assume I will be a fashion designer forever, but for me, the next five years include graduating from high school at the top of my class, graduating college, and attending law school. Fashion for me is a hobby, it’s fun. Any money that I make, I save for law school,” she explained.
More Than Just Fashion
Beyond her undeniable talent, Lyerly has used her platform for philanthropic efforts. Through her pageant fundraising efforts for St. Jude, she has raised over $50,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, proving that fashion can be both glamorous and purpose-driven.
“I try to represent every type of woman on the runway so that everyone can see themselves wearing my designs,” she said. “The most beautiful thing a woman can wear is a confident smile.”
From a childhood in pageantry to a decade ruling the runway, Alycesaundra Lyerly’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and undeniable talent. As she completed her 10th year at NYFW, one thing was certain—her influence on the fashion world was just getting started.
RUNWAY PHOTO CREDITS: Arun Nevader/Getty Images & Mark Gunter/Getty Images + Art Hearts Fashion
