Chapel Hill Stories – Spotlight: Parker Zinn

Parker Zinn’s Uniquities Chapel Hill Show

ORANGE SLICES

By Laurie Paolicelli
Guest Columnist

Though she makes her home now in New York City, Parker Zinn is a homegrown success story, the product of a place, a time, and a family reflecting the values that mean the most to most of us: love, support, and an education. Parker Zinn was beneficiary of all these things. Chapel Hill is her home, and it has given her the world.

Parker Zinn is an emerging designer and founder of the Parker Zinn knitwear label, which is rapidly gaining traction in contemporary fashion, influencers, and stars. Her brand focuses on elevated knitwear crafted with careful attention to materials and construction, what she describes as “elevated Southern kitsch with New York polish.”

But she’s a Chapel Hill girl, through and through—creative and confident, with roots firmly planted in the community that helped shape her worldview. Growing up in Chapel Hill nurtured Parker’s curiosity about the wider world and reinforced the belief that education, imagination, and ambition could open doors far beyond town limits. Home was a place that encouraged exploration, independent thinking, and the confidence to succeed—values that ultimately propelled her toward a creative career.

Omar Zinn with kids Parker and Orlando and wife Paige Jennings Zinn

The daughter of Paige Jennings Zinn and Omar Zinn, Parker attended Frank Porter Graham Elementary, Culbreth Middle School, and graduated from Carrboro High School in 2020. Chapel Hill’s culture of scholarship and support gave her both the foundation and the courage to take a bold leap in August 2020—moving to New York City to study fashion design at Parsons School of Design.

Parker graduated from Parsons in 2024 and now lives in Manhattan, launching an exciting new chapter in one of the world’s great creative capitals. She is immersed in the energy of New York City, enjoying the independence and inspiration that comes with young adult life in a global fashion hub. At the same time, she admits to missing some of the comforts of home—especially the Mexican food she loves and time spent laughing with her cousins. Favorites like Monterrey in Carrboro, Que Chéla in downtown Chapel Hill, and the clam chowder at Nantucket Grill remain high on her must‑visit list whenever she’s back home.

Her cousins and entire family came out to support her Chapel Hill show.

Tamron Hall featured Zinn on her show in February 2025 as part of the “Up & Coming Designer Series,” showcasing Parker’s intricate, glamorous knitwear and highlighting her journey from Parsons graduate to a rising fashion talent known for luxury, hand-knit creations.

Tamron Hall in a Parker Zinn dress

Gayle King wearing Parker Zinn’s designer dress.

Her work gained national attention when CBS Mornings’ co‑host Gayle King wore a custom Parker Zinn knit gown to the Wicked movie premiere in New York City. The appearance introduced Parker’s designs to a broad audience and marked an exciting milestone for a young designer whose career is just beginning.

A special appearance at Uniquities in Chapel Hill December 20, 2025.

Parker credits her family with reinforcing the values she absorbed growing up in Chapel Hill. Her mother, Paige Jennings Zinn, instilled a respect for preparation, precision, and strong communication—never leaving details to chance. Her father, Omar Zinn, emphasized financial literacy and entrepreneurship, teaching her about balance sheets, self‑funding, and knowing when to invest wisely versus when to stay scrappy.

From her grandparents, Roger and Dorothy Jennings, she learned humility, grit, perseverance, and the importance of joy and laughter—lessons that continue to ground her as she builds her career. Parker also credits her grandmother, Carol Ann Zinn, as a guiding influence in her life. A longtime Chapel Hill builder and designer, Carol Ann is known for her thoughtful work through Zinn Design Build, a firm she founded and still leads. Her creativity, independence, and deep connection to community have shaped not only the homes she’s built, but the people around her — especially Parker.

Roger and Dorothy Jennings proud grandparents

Parker Zinn carries her hometown with her, in her heart and in her designs. Her work quietly reflects her roots, as evidenced by the inclusion of Carolina blue in many of her pieces.

She is proof, if we needed it, that Chapel Hill continues to cultivate trailblazers who are curious about the world, confident in their abilities, and prepared to make an impact wherever their paths may lead. And that behind every emerging light is the spark of love—a recognition of and thanks to the parents and grandparents who provide a listening ear, shared laughter, and a warm hug, reminding us that someone is always in our corner, no matter where in the world we are.

https://parkerzinn.com

Parker’s grandmother Carol Ann Zinn reminds her to love what she does for a living.

Share your thoughts with me here,

Laurie Paolicelli

Disclaimer: Published by Orange County’s Tourism Department through its Public Relations team, this story includes interviews and repurposed content from websites and partner press releases. For more, visit www.visitchapelhill.org or contact Laurie Paolicelli.

Laurie Paolicelli is executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, a position she has held since 2005. Laurie has worked in tourism and marketing for twenty-five years, having served in leadership roles in Houston and California convention and visitor bureaus. She is a native of the Twin Ports of Duluth, MN/Superior Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communications from the University Wisconsin-Superior and graduate certification in Technology In Marketing from the UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media. This reporter can be reached at Information@TheLocalReporter.press