FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Becca Walter
Email: becca@omahafashionweek.com
OFW Announces Designer Line Up for August 2016
Omaha, Neb. May 9, 2016 - The organizers of Omaha Fashion Week presented by SAC Federal Credit Union announced the designers who have been selected to show collections during the next season of OFW August 22-27. The lineup includes 30 designers. 11 of who are newcomers to Omaha Fashion Week.
27 of these designers will be competing for nightly prizes during designer showcases on August 22-26. The top designer from each nightly showcase will receive a $500 cash prize from SAC Federal Credit Union. The top designers from each of the five showcases will go head to head at the finale showcase held on August 27. The winner on this night will receive the Omaha Fashion Cup prize. The prize package is valued at $15,000, provided by SAC Federal Credit Union, Omaha Fashion Week, Develop Model Management and Design Parliament. The six-person OFW selection panel will select the winners.
Over 40 designers applied this season; this was narrowed down to 27 selected designers. Designers applied and pitched their ideas to a panel of industry experts brought together by OFW. The experts scored each designer and provided feedback that OFW organizers used to make final selections. The designers are scored on innovation, construction, marketability, concept and the overall presentation. Three designers, Terri Buckner, Paulie Gibson and Dan Richters, will be featured as headline designers during the week and will not be competing against other designers.
Highlights from interviews:
- Many designers are using different cultures as inspiration to their designs
- Architecture is a common inspirational theme this season
- Leather is a popular way to accentuate looks
- History and historical time periods are heavy influencers on collections
OFW shows are scheduled for August 22-27 at the Omaha Design Center, Omaha’s newest venue for fashion, art and events. Here is a breakdown of the schedule for the week:
Monday, August 22: Designer Showcase I (prize awarded to top designer)
- Orchid Richards
- Sydney Moore
- Karissa Goosic
- Abbey Parodi
- Frank Fu
- Aubrey Sookram
Tuesday, August 23: Designer Showcase II (prize awarded to top designer)
- Elda Doamekpo
- Ciara Fortun
- Jenny Pool
- Juantiesha Christian
- Breanne Reiss
- Miranda Hanson
Wednesday, August 24: Designer Showcase III (prize awarded to top designer)
- Stella Bernadt
- Brooke Cromley
- Mitchell Henderson
- Alejandra Buenrostro
- Christopher Digiorgio
- Headliner- Paulie Gibson
Thursday, August 25: Designer Showcase IV (prize awarded to top designer)
- Lauren Birkentall
- Monnie Winslow
- Jane Round
- R and F Plus
- Madison Durant
- Headliner- Terri Buckner (NueVintage)
Friday, August 26: Designer Showcase V (prize awarded to top designer)
- Leah Kettelson
- Chessna Fernald
- Buf Reynolds
- Audio Helkuik
- Andy Kollath
- Headliner- Dan Richters
Saturday, August 27: Finale Showcase (Omaha Fashion Cup awarded to top designer)
The designer line up will be announced in the next few weeks. Tickets go on sale June 1, 2016 at omahafashionweek.com/tickets.
Below is a list of designer bios:
Students (Junior high and high school)
Madison Durant: 15 year-old fashion designer for La Rae Fashions. Madison was the runner up contestant on the season finale episode of Project Runway: Threads Season One. Her designs encompass a classy-yet-modern aesthetic.
Ciara Fortun: 16 year-old OFW veteran. Ciara plans to show an evening wear collection inspired by the traditional Filipino dress.
Frank Fu: High school student and avant garde designer. Frank will be incorporating a mixture of unconventional materials and fibers, inspired by architecture.
Karissa Goosic: 15 year-old who will be showcasing a collection inspired by artist, Keith Haring. Karissa began designing at just eight years old.
Miranda Hanson: 16 year-old high school student who has been sewing since the age of eight. Miranda is showing a women’s day wear collection.
Mitchell Henderson: 17 year-old designer from Omaha and veteran of OFW. Mitchell plans to attend college in the fall of 2017 to study fashion design.
Sydney Moore: Veteran designer for OFW. Sydney is currently a junior high student and designer of SKM.
Newcomers
Stella Bernadt: First year student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Stella is showing an evening wear collection inspired by the evolution of women’s rights throughout history.
Brooke Cromley: Self-taught designer. Her style is known for streamlined silhouettes with free spirit detailing for a well-put together wardrobe with an edgy feel.
Andy Kollath: Omaha native working as a graphic designer. Andy’s skillsets include printmaking, leatherwork and sewing; he will be combining these into his first runway collection.
Abbey Parodi: Senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Abbey is working towards a degree in textile and fashion design with a minor in art. Her designs are edgy and include experimentation with unusual fabrics, dramatic drapes and unique silhouettes.
Breanne Reiss: Breanne holds a master’s degree in apparel design. She experiments with silhouette, pattern, and texture in her designs.
Orchid Richards: Native New Yorker and recent graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Orchid holds a degree in textiles and fashion design.
Monnie Winslow: Omaha based designer interested in alternative fashion. Monnie creates art, clothes and jewelry.
Veterans
Lauren Birkentall: Student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Lauren is showing an evening wear collection incorporating light drapes, gathers, and pools of trains.
Alejandra Buenrostro: Alejandra will be designing an evening wear collection inspired by a culture who truly believes and lives freedom.
Juantiesha Christian: Nebraska-bred New Yorker and designer for a women’s ready-to-wear label, SuShe by J.Tracey. SuShe’s collections are comprised of fun, whimsical and eclectic daywear looks for women.
Christopher Di Giorgio: Young designer who incorporates a futuristic but grungy aesthetic. Christopher is debuting an androgynous day/street wear collection.
Elda Doamekpo: College student and designer for AFIELDA. Elda is showing an evening wear collection inspired by the fashion in Africa.
Chessna Fernald: Self-taught designer. Chessna is showing a collection based on the theme of flora and fauna.
Hannah Flores and Kylie Revense: R & F is co-founded by Kylie Revense and Hannah Flores. The duo envisions adding more diversity and aesthetic freedom to the world of plus sizes.
Audio Helkuik: Educated in fashion design and showing a leather accessories collection.
Leah Kettelson: Leah holds a degree in apparel design and fashion merchandising from Georgia Southern University. She has worked with designers Elise Overland and Michael Kors in NYC.
Jenny Pool: Omaha based freelance costume and fashion designer. Jenny’s work has been seen at local theatres, OFW runways, the NAP condom fashion show and onstage at drag shows.
Buf Reynolds Sechser: Buf designs many styles running from swimwear to bridal to avant garde. This season Buf is showing an eveningwear collection.
Jane Round: Former student at the Fashion Institute of Technology and currently residing in New York. This collection will feature hand detailing in the form of weaving, beading, and printing fabric.
Aubrey Sookram: Designer for MarkoosModernDesign. Aubrey will be showing a children’s wear collection.
About Omaha Fashion Week:
On the inside, Omaha Fashion Week is a talent incubator that seamlessly connects designers, stylists, photographers, artists and models through nurturing platforms and engaging opportunities. On the outside, Omaha Fashion Week is Midwest’s premier fashion event; spotlighting fashion innovations and celebrating creative excellence. Learn more at www.omahafashionweek.com.