The creative class is on the rise in Birmingham. Organizations and events like Design Week, TEDx, and Birmingham Fashion Week have brought together creative thinkers in the Magic City during a time of undeniable economic and civic growth. Many of those creative thinkers have wondered: How do we inspire the next generation of creative workers?

Young Bradford Billingsley might be part of the answer. Bradford, who celebrated his 14^th birthday at Birmingham Fashion Week in May, was featured as the “Up and Coming” designer. Surrounded by models wearing outfits of his own design isn’t exactly the most conventional birthday celebration, but the young man from Vestavia Hills admits as much: “Alabama is definitely not the fashion capital of the world,” Bradford says, “and being a fashion designer isn’t the normal thing for someone from here.”

Despite his geographical disadvantage, Bradford managed to win first prize on The Lifetime Channel’s “Project Runway: Threads;” he designed a dress for Miss Alabama Teen USA 2014 Baskin Champion; and he got a 70-page book of designs into the hands of Taylor Swift, who, he says, is a great source of inspiration.

Inspiration often comes from the most unlikely places, and for Bradford it started with a chance encounter with ancient Egypt. “One of my mom’s best friends is Egyptian, and at the age of 4, I began drawing ancient Egyptian fashion and headdresses.”

It’s a bit of a leap through time and across cultures, sure, but that early interest in design soon found a purpose: Make Taylor Swift look fantastic. “I began drawing countless pictures of the singer in different designs, and she was like my muse. From there I evolved into fashion and began designing more and more and started seeing and constructing garments.”

One of the greatest obstacles of early success — especially in such a creative field — is the high level of expectation for the work that comes after that success. But Bradford is wise beyond his years, and he knows what inspires him.

“I’m always trying to outdo myself because you’re only as good as your last collection, and I want each collection to be better than the last,” he says. “I sometimes feel like listening to certain music or visiting a certain place can really inspire me to design something gorgeous.”

From Lana Del Rey to Kanye West, Bradford’s musical muses vary as widely as his attire. “As you could see from my designs, I love a beautiful statement gown for a woman. There are so many different types of gowns and ways you can express yourself through them.”

Fashion design isn’t just about making something that looks good. For Bradford, it’s much more. It’s self-expression.

With a successful career in the making and many productive years yet to come, what is the secret to his success and to inspiring the next creative class?

“I suggest that kids do what makes them happy. That’s the most important thing: happiness. Don’t be confined to the generic jobs or careers because of your surroundings or where you live,” Bradford says. “Alabama is definitely not the fashion capital of the world, and being a fashion designer isn’t the normal thing for someone from here, but I decided to do what I love to do and what makes me happy.”

Birmingham Fashion Week takes place annually at Pepper Place. All photos courtesy of Alabama-based JC Bravo Photography, which has been following Bradford’s rise since he was in the fourth grade.