“Legends” Collage Denim Set Created for the GRWM Runway Experience, this set combines secondhand textiles, magazine imagery, and Mod Podge to honor iconic pop culture figures who have shaped the Black community. The piece bridges past and present, illustrating how unity across generations creates a powerful and beautiful collective work. Photography by: Chris Uhren

“Around the Way” Jacket Designed for the GRWM Runway Collection, this piece is crafted from secondhand textiles and adorned with bamboo earrings sourced from a local beauty supply store. As an extension of the “Around the Way” Set, the jacket highlights the bamboo earring as a revolutionary accessory and cultural symbol within the Black community—representing a rite of passage, self-expression, and the journey toward confidence and growth. Photography by Chris Uhren

“Play Time” Handcrafted for the GRWM Runway Collection, this piece is made from secondhand textiles and adorned with colorful hair barrettes. The garment embodies Imani’s inner child, with each hand-sewn barrette symbolizing the joy and playful energy of childhood adornment. Its vibrant colors and tactile sound evoke nostalgia, celebrating the innocence and imagination of youth.

"Play Time" Photography by Chris Uhren

"Play Time" & "Hair Me" Photography by Chris Uhren

“Play Time” Handcrafted for the GRWM Runway Collection, this piece is made from secondhand textiles and adorned with colorful hair barrettes. The garment embodies Imani’s inner child, with each hand-sewn barrette symbolizing the joy and playful energy of childhood adornment. Its vibrant colors and tactile sound evoke nostalgia, celebrating the innocence and imagination of youth. Photography By Dymond Jewell

"Hair Me" Photography by Chris Uhren

“Hair Me” Created for the GRWM Runway Collection, this piece incorporates upcycled denim, braiding hair, and wooden beads to reflect Imani Batts’ personal hair story. The beads symbolize empowerment and boldness—qualities that cannot be hidden. With every movement, the garment carries its own rhythm, allowing it to be heard before it is seen. By merging braiding hair and beads, the work commands attention and honors the cultural power of adornment. Photography by Dymond Jewell

"Around the Way" Jacket Photography by Chris Uhren

“Hair Me” Created for the GRWM Runway Collection, this piece incorporates upcycled denim, braiding hair, and wooden beads to reflect Imani Batts’ personal hair story. The beads symbolize empowerment and boldness—qualities that cannot be hidden. With every movement, the garment carries its own rhythm, allowing it to be heard before it is seen. By merging braiding hair and beads, the work commands attention and honors the cultural power of adornment.

"Around the Way" Jacket Photography by Chis Uhren

"Hair Me" Photography by Chris Uhren

“Around the Way” Jacket Designed for the GRWM Runway Collection, this piece is crafted from secondhand textiles and adorned with bamboo earrings sourced from a local beauty supply store. As an extension of the “Around the Way” Set, the jacket highlights the bamboo earring as a revolutionary accessory and cultural symbol within the Black community—representing a rite of passage, self-expression, and the journey toward confidence and growth. Photography by Chris Uhren

“Around the Way” Set Created for the GRWM Runway Collection, this set features hand-sewn bamboo earrings on upcycled and secondhand denim. The garment celebrates the boldness and maturity embodied by the iconic bamboo earring—a staple in the Black community that signifies coming of age, personal style, and cultural pride.

“Guardian Angel” Created for the GRWM Runway Collection, this jacket serves as an ode to guardian angels who have transitioned, symbolizing their constant protection and presence surrounding us. Constructed from a vintage tapestry blanket, thrifted curtains, scrap fabric, and a vintage varsity jacket, the piece layers memory and material to honor both loss and guidance Photography by Chris Uhren

"Guardian Angel" Photography by Chris Uhren

“Our History” Originally created for Los Angeles Fashion Week, this kimono-inspired jacket is constructed from donated vintage Black History t-shirts. Each stitch weaves together heritage, celebrating the community’s achievements and enduring faith. The piece was later featured in the GRWM Runway Collection and the Making Sustainability the Ultimate Trend window display. Photography by Chris Uhren

“Our History” Originally created for Los Angeles Fashion Week, this kimono-inspired jacket is constructed from donated vintage Black History t-shirts. Each stitch weaves together heritage, celebrating the community’s achievements and enduring faith. The piece was later featured in the GRWM Runway Collection and the Making Sustainability the Ultimate Trend window display.

"GRWM Runway Collection" at Brew House's Group Art Exhibition "Get the Spirit Out"

“Perfect Chaos” Created for Los Angeles Fashion Week 2022, this 1980s-inspired jumpsuit is hand-painted with bold, geometric shapes. The design explores the idea that within disorder lies beauty, transforming chaos into a striking visual statement.

“Rep Your Set” Created for Los Angeles Fashion Week 2022, this piece reimagines a vintage upcycled STARTER Steelers jersey. As a Pittsburgh native, Imani Batts honors the deep cultural significance of the Steelers, using the garment to represent hometown pride and identity through fashion.

“We Dem Boys” Created for Los Angeles Fashion Week 2022, this ensemble features a top and shorts constructed from vintage Steelers shirts, paired with an upcycled denim jacket embellished with additional Steelers apparel and memorabilia. The piece serves as both a tribute to Pittsburgh and an homage to Wiz Khalifa’s anthem “We Dem Boys,” a song that echoes throughout Steelers games and symbolizes the city’s collective pride.

“Chasing Broken Dreams” Presented at the Ecolution Fashion Show 2025, a showcase celebrating sustainability and craft, this piece was also featured in my solo show “Nothing New Under the Sun.” Constructed from a thrifted suit and repurposed CDs, it reflects the transformation of discarded materials into new narratives, questioning the fragility and resilience of ambition based on a character in August Wilson's Play "Seven Guitars".

"Chasing Broken Dreams" at Ecolution Fashion Show 2025

“Nothing New Under the Sun” Solo exhibition in partnership with the August Wilson Archives at the University of Pittsburgh. Inspired by August Wilson's play "Seven Guitars" Location: Studio 4 Photography Nairobi Jones

"Split" Split represents the divided personas of King Hedley. A passionate, multi-layered character in Seven Guitars. The button-up tops symbolize the tension between who he is and who he’s trying to be. Each button up shirt marks a pivotal moment in the play, capturing the internal battles that define his story. Materials: Secondhand textiles and screen printing

"Radio Silence" Discarded Radio

"Nothing New Under the Sun" June 26th, 2025 Opening Reception Photography by Nairobi Jones

"Nothing New Under the Sun" Thrifted statues Photography by Nairobi Jones

"Nothing New Under the Sun" Artist Talk and Closing Reception Host: Doretha Murray Artists: Imani Batts and Griffon Wilson

"#2" Canewell is both a lover and a loyal friend. Someone who wants the best for everyone, even if it means taking a back seat. He’s quietly heartbroken when Vera chooses Floyd, despite the bond they formed while Floyd was gone. Canewell understands her decision, but deep down, he knows he could’ve given her the love and stability she deserved. Just before Floyd’s death, Canewell uncovers a secret that reveals how money, and desperation, can change a person. It’s a painful reminder that even those we care for aren’t always who we believe them to be. Materials: Thrifted Blazer, spray paint, acrylic paint, and rhinestones

"The Blues Made Me" This collaborative piece blends the spirits of Floyd and Hedley, two passionate, hardworking, and stubborn men. Floyd’s love for music echoes through his hit single, 'That’s All Right,' while the overalls serve as both canvas and symbol of the laboring man, embodied by Hedley in Pittsburgh. By the end of the play, their paths collide, revealing how each became a threat to the other. Materials: Thrifted overalls, screen print, and repurposed CDs Photography by Nairobi Jones

"She Lies in Red" Photography by: Studio 4

"She Lies in Red" Ruby is a complex force in the play, Louise’s cousin, carrying a heavy load of baggage. She exudes sex appeal and carries herself like she’s high maintenance. Ruby knows how to use her charm and beauty to get what she wants plus to slip out of trouble. Even if it means risking her future in the process Materials: Secondhand fabric, resin, and embellishments Photography by: Studio 4

"She Lies in Red" Photography by: Studio 4

"Clinching My Pearls" Vera was the woman Floyd walked away from. A lover left in the shadow of his choices. Though she held onto hope, his absence carved out a quiet numbness in her. When he returned, asking for another chance, the pain resurfaced. This garment is inspired by Vera’s choice to wear pearls at Floyd’s memorial. An elegant, quiet symbol of love, loss, and remembrance. Materials: Secondhand textiles, resin, embellishment Photography by Nairobi Jones

"Chasing Broken Dreams" This outfit is inspired by Floyd from August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. He’s chasing music, money, and ultimately, a second chance. His life experiences have shaped a fractured view of what life should be versus what it really is. Still, Floyd finds beauty in the brokenness and keeps chasing his dreams, no matter the cost. The guitar is a crucial symbol in the play. Floyd’s dream hinges on getting it back from the pawn shop. To him, it’s not just an instrument, but the key to performing again and making his way back to Chicago. Materials: Second Hand Textiles, CDs, & embellishments Photography by Studio 4

"Clinching My Pearls" at "Nothing New under the Sun" June 26th, 2025

"Chasing Broken Dreams" at "Nothing New Under the Sun" June 26th 2025 Photography by Studio 4

"Chasing Broken Dreams" & "Clinching My Pearls"

"Made in God's Image" Hand-painted thrifted mirror inspired by Genesis 1:27 "So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God who created them; male and female he created"

"Nothing New Under the Sun"

Catherine Trendz