GDES Alumna Awarded $50K for Mission-Driven Brand

That dream is coming to reality after her lifestyle brand Darling Grey won Alabama Launchpad’s Consumer Goods competition and was awarded $50,000 to accelerate its mission.

Wesson created Darling Grey as her senior project in the Graphic Design (GDES) program, developing a concept and visual identity for a brand that works to fight sex trafficking through awareness, collaborations with local organizations, employment for survivors of sex trafficking and long-term support.

Wesson was drawn to help victims of sex trafficking when she learned how prevalent the issue is in Alabama. The clothing, home goods and everyday pieces are marked with a small blue heart as a symbol for sex trafficking awareness and “Here if you need me” stitched onto the tags. Additionally, part of the proceeds goes to organizations that fight trafficking and help survivors build new lives.

“I knew I wanted it to become something real,” Wesson said. “I didn’t just want to make something that looked good on paper, but I wanted to build a brand with purpose that felt timeless, intentional and personal.”

She drew on her SIGD education to shape Darling Grey’s foundation and the intention behind every detail.

“The program pushed me to think beyond the aesthetic and focus on communication—how to tell a story, create meaning and build connection,” Wesson said. “The design principles I learned helped me build a brand that doesn’t just look good but feels like something.”

“My Auburn professors really shaped how I think and my approach to design,” she continued. “It is because of their encouragement in everything I created that the sky really was the limit.”

After graduating, Wesson held four freelance design jobs while working to bring Darling Grey from a class project into a fully fledged company in just one year.