The Kid
He feasts at the finest restaurants in town. He hobnobs with sylphlike models, and leaves crumbs of broken hearts in his wake. He’s on his way to becoming one of the premier fashion designers in the country. He can’t go many places in Birmingham anymore without being recognized.But there’s one thing that separates Bradford Billingsley from everyone else.He’s 14.Recently, Bradford had his proverbial coming-out party at Birmingham’s esteemed “Fashion Week,” and was showered with ovations after he staged a runway coup with stockings, chiffon, and copious amounts of skin.“It was very, like, edgy,” Bradford describes. “I was worried that it was too sexy for Birmingham.”Boom.Cue: I’m too sexy for my fashion show. 
So how did all of this happen?As a young boy, Bradford got into fashion design when he became enthralled with Ancient Egyptian culture. “My mom’s best friend is Egyptian,” Bradford says, fussing with a swab of brownish-red hair. “I really became fascinated with the Ancient Egyptians. The headdresses and all. That evolved into fashion.”So Bradford started sketching, but didn’t limit his work to Nefretiri or Rameses II. Every day, we wore his mama out, asking her for drawing suggestions. “He would say, ‘Give me an occasion to draw,’” his mom, Dana Billingsley, says. “You can only do so many Kentucky Derbys or Academy Awards.”The mania eventually paid dividends in 2010, when singer Taylor Swift was hosting a 13-hour meet-and-greet in Nashville, which was open to the public.“I was, like, obsessed with her,” recalls Bradford.Determined to meet the lollipop crooner, Bradford put together a 70-page book of drawings of Swift and negotiated the multitudes that were lining the street, throwing waves, and trying not to hyperventilate.“I met her,” Bradford says, swelling. “She flipped through the book, and said, ‘You love art as much as I love music.’”Thus began a five-year torrent of design and drawing for Bradford. Because he wanted to be able to make his own clothes, the tenderfoot soon learned to sew and began designing his own women’s clothing line. He was invited to participate in Lifetime’s Project Runway Threads, sort of a junior version of the ever-popular Project Runway.“They interviewed 250 people throughout the U.S.,” Dana adds. Bradford won, and received a $25,000 package, including a sewing studio and gift card to JoAnne’s Fabrics.
Bradford was also featured in Style Icon piece by B-Metro writer Tracy James. James, reflecting on that interview and Bradford’s portfolio, says, “Bradford is the real deal. From our first meeting when I featured him, I realized this is a kid who is actually going to make his dream come true. What completely blows me away is not only that his design aesthetic—sexy, dramatic, and ultra-feminine—is sophisticated beyond his years, but that he found his signature at such a young age. Look at his early sketches and you see basically just cruder versions of his current couture-worthy creations. What a delight it is to watch this fashion prodigy follow his passion with gusto.”The self-taught, bowtie-rocking star has also worked intimately with local boutiques and wedding gown companies, all while maintaining straight A’s in school and keeping his nose clean.“I’ve never had to tell him to do his homework,” brags Dana.This summer, Bradford’s schedule is piling up. June alone is chocked with a New York trip with Seventeen magazine, a fashion show in Carthage, Mississippi, and a jaunt to L.A. for fashion camp.
One would think with all this moxie and attention that Bradford Billingsley would be, well, a little punkish. Not so. Bradford is a "yes sir, no sir" kind of kid. He’s very respectful, quiet even. But through the portals of his eyes, one can sense an inner drive to do something extraordinary with his life.While he’ll admit that he likes milkshakes, the movies, and the pool, Bradford is typically up nights, patching together his future, silently plotting to take over the planet. “After I get my homework done, that’s when I have time to do creative,” Bradford says. It isn’t infrequent that he stays up beyond 1 a.m. on a school night. Monday through Thursday he doesn’t get much shuteye, but catches up on the weekends with an 11 a.m. alarm clock.Some might think this is bizarre (“just be a kid, won’t you!”): you know, having business cards and your own personal logo before you sprout peach fuzz on your chin. But for Bradford, it just seems natural. Feels right.“I’ve always been very driven,” Bradford admits. “I’m like an old soul.”An old soul indeed, living in a 14-year-old’s body.
Bradford recently graduated at Pizitz Middle School and is staring down the barrel of the most testing year of his life. He will be a freshman at Vestavia High in the fall, and will be plunged into the ruthless wonderland of that great American institution we call high school. One has to wonder how the rock star will be received.Dana, who calls herself his “Momager,” has been entrusted with keeping 007 with Pimples in check. Dana claims that she and Bradford are “like oil and water” and at times the pair have opinions as far apart as east is west.But it is clear that Bradford derives his industrial work ethic from his own flesh-and-blood. Dana demonstrates the daily grind by working two jobs: real estate agent and marketing director for 22 case managers.“He’s heard me negotiate real estate contracts his whole life,” she says.While Dana and Bradford rely on work, they will also admit that Bradford’s rare talent is a gift from God. “God gave him his talent,” Dana says. “I’m a firm believer in that.”“It is a God-given talent,” Bradford agrees.Perhaps that’s what keeps Bradford humble, exhibiting a quiet confidence that shies away from egoism.
So one day, when the klieg lights of stardom and the Paparazzi lenses come calling, Bradford will carry these disciplines with him. He’ll continue to go confidently in the direction of his dreams, as Thoreau once suggested. And hopefully, he won’t forget who he is—and that is an awfully good kid.“I wanna be liked and I wanna be cool, but I don’t wanna change who I am to be that way,” Bradford says. 78 To see more of Bradford's work, please visit and LIKE Bradford Billingsley on Facebook. Sign up for our email updates below. Photo credits: Al Blanton (main photo); Eric Gray and JC Bravo (Fashion Week photos).