Last night, Omaha Fashion Week brought an Avant Garde and Swimwear Showcase to the runway. Designers who presented collections included Judy Bales, Michaela Cawley, Ellene McClay, Jennifer Pool, Sabrina Jones, and Dan Richters. The garments we saw last night were designed with intricate, artistic, and unique combinations.
Omaha Fashion Week and Sac Federal Credit Union revealed the top designer at the end of the night, Dan Richters. Dan will have the chance to compete for the $15,000 grand prize on Saturday night at our VIP Finale. If you missed out on the celebration of style last night, here’s a brief recap:
Judy Bales
Designer: Judy Bales
Model: Develop Model Management
Photographer: Heather and Jameson
Styling: Urbane Salon and Day Spa
Judy is a multi-disciplinary artist who focuses on art for the body, mixed-media installation and public art. She utilizes found, recycled and /or repurposed materials in an ongoing effort to reveal beauty in unlikely places.
Michaela Cawley
Designer: Michaela Cawley
Model: Develop Model Management
Photographer: Heather and Jameson
Styling: Redken and Mod Studios
Michaela Cawley designs KKINI, a luxury swimwear brand. The inspiration for her collection this season came from beach culture cities, those including Laguna Beach, Malibu, Rio, and Cape Town.
Ellene McClay
Designer: Ellene McClay
Model: Develop Model Management
Photographer: Heather and Jameson
Styling: Ellene and Sasha Wright
Ellene’s collection was made by a unique process of which involved removing color from denim fabric. She used a creative technique via chemicals and bleach to create the look of her Marie Antoinette and Rococo period inspired garments.
Jennifer Pool
Designer: Jennifer Pool
Model: Nicolette NuVogue
Photographer: Heather and Jameson
Styling: Victor Victoria
Jennifer brought something extraordinary to OFW this season. She is a designer who creates garments for many drag queens. Inspired by a fairy tale titled 12 Dancing Princesses, Jennifer made a full collection of dresses fit for men in drag.
Sabrina Jones
Designer: Sabrina Jones
Model: Develop Model Management
Photographer: Heather and Jameson
Styling: Moxie Salon and Spa
Sabrina designed a swim collection this season for Omaha Fashion Week inspired by tropical fish. Sabrina hand painted her suits giving this swimwear collection an authentic touch.
Dan Richters- Winner
Designer: Dan Richters
Models: Develop Model Management
Photographer: Heather and Jameson
Styling: Beauty First
Dan Richters, as mentioned previously, was chosen as the winner for Tuesday night’s show. Dan’s inspiration for this collection comes from the ocean and ocean animals. He mentions being “fascinated with the textures and shapes of benthic plantlife, as well as scales and spikes that cover animals such as fish and starfish.” Dan began focusing on fashion in 2009, the same year he created his first collection for Omaha Fashion Week. He has been concentrating on his current collection for five months, what he mentions as one of his major accomplishments in his fashion career. Omaha Fashion Week would like to congratulate Dan on a job well done this season!
Thank you to all who came out to watch the Avant Garde and Swimwear Showcase. Tonight marks the first night of ready-to-wear designs. Tickets are still available HERE. See you there!