ABOUT AMANDA
Designer. Artist. Storyteller. Creative Founder.
Amanda Perna is a multidisciplinary creative whose work spans design, fashion, interiors, art, storytelling, and entrepreneurship.
Known for her fearless use of color, layered pattern, and joyful perspective, Amanda has spent the past fifteen years building a creative practice that blurs the boundaries between fashion, interiors, hospitality, publishing, retail, and experiential design.
Whether designing a collection, transforming a space, speaking on stage, or collaborating with a global brand, every project begins with the same belief: that thoughtfully designed experiences have the power to transform the way we live.
“"Life is the occasion."-amanda perna
The Story
Amanda graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design while participating in the University's Honors Program. She continued her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City before beginning her career with Oscar de la Renta and Calvin Klein, where she developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, timeless design, and the emotional power of beautifully made objects.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to create work through her own artistic lens, Amanda founded The House of Perna, where fashion became the first expression of a much larger creative vision.
National audiences were introduced to Amanda as a two-time designer on Project Runway, but her work has since expanded well beyond fashion. Today she creates across interiors, art, illustration, hospitality, publishing, licensing, television, retail, and immersive brand experiences.
Her work has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Forbes, Marie Claire, People, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and numerous other publications. She has collaborated with brands including Disney, Target, Anthropologie, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Hallmark, Barbie, Pinterest, Hearst, Four Seasons, and Beaches Resorts.
She is also the Founder and Creative Director of The House of Perna, Co-Founder of A Little Wyld, author and illustrator of two bestselling children's books, keynote speaker, television personality, and creative consultant.
Philosophy
At the heart of Amanda's work is a simple belief: creativity isn't reserved for artists.
It shapes the way we dress, the homes we create, the businesses we build, the people we gather with, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Amanda believes beautiful design should do more than simply look good. It should create connection, evoke emotion, inspire confidence, and remind us that everyday life deserves to be celebrated.
Today, Amanda is building a creative world that extends across design, fashion, interiors, books, television, speaking, hospitality, licensing, travel, and thoughtfully designed products—all connected by a shared purpose: helping people create lives that feel deeply personal and worth celebrating.
Because life isn't something to wait for.
Life is the occasion.
Behind the scenes with Amanda
Guilty Pleasure:
buying shoes
(I have a very large collection of sparkly ones)
Currently Listening to:
andrea bocelli
(dying to be back in Italy!)
Favorite food:
stuffed squash blossoms!
I order them every single time I see them on a menu and literally squeal when I see them in markets so we can make them at home.
Secret talent:
i used to sing!
I performed in many places including Carnegie Hall and Disney World!
Take my money:
chanel
…take all of it
Currently reading:
your fully charged life
By my girl Meaghan B Murphy
I can't have enough:
plants!
I am a super crazy plant lady with way too many plants to count.
favorite color:
pink always!
I spend way too much time:
pinning on pinterest!!
I am OBSESSED and have a million secret boards for everything.
work together
Expert Topics & Brand Collaboration Opportunities:
✔ Digital Content Creation
✔ Product Collaboration
✔ Brand Endorsements and Partnerships
✔ Guest Speaking and Guest Appearances
✔ Art Activations and Installations
✔ Live Events, Podcasts, and TV
✔ Illustrations, Prints, and Graphics
and more!
lovin’
Awards & Recognitions
Verizon Small Business Competition Southern Region Winner & 3rd in USA
Woman Volunteer of the Year Nominee
Best of 2020 Good Housekeeping for
The House of Perna Face Masks
WWD Emerging Designer Showcase
WWD Emerging Designer Showcase All-Star Brand
Best Emerging RTW Brand at Atlanta America's Mart
Delray Beach Business Person of the Year
Jack Davis Professional Achievement
Award- University of Alabama
Luminary Fellows Award Recipient
Female Founder Collective
2X Project Runway Contestant
Winner of Flea Market Flip Challenge
USA Today Academic All American Finalist
Delray Beach Hometown Hero Recipient
Delray Beach Business of the Year
Giving back
After all, sharing is caring.
For Amanda, philanthropy is equally important as entrepreneurship. That’s why a staple of her business is giving back to her local and global community.
In 2020, a year that was difficult for so many, Amanda took an active stance in creating and distributing masks that were not only ethically made, brought color, vibrance, and joy during the turbulence of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
Amanda Perna donated tens of thousands of masks to frontline workers, school children in Haiti, the homeless and over a hundred organizations throughout the country, totally more than $100,000 in total donations.
She also created free video tutorials teaching people how to take the DIY approach to make their own masks at home for a creative outlet and environmentally conscious solution.
Amanda is also an active participant in her local community where she loves spreading positivity, partnership, and creative solutions for the people and businesses in her area. She has donated to dozens of local organizations over the years.
Amanda currently sits on the board of Directors for the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce as well as the Achievement Center for Children and Families, where she frequently partners to raise funds to support families in need. In addition, Amanda is very involved with the Delray Beach Public library. She has donated her time and made contributions to many events including creating bags for their annual fundraiser, as well as being the co-chair for their annual Pride & Prosecco event.