From OFW News Release on 11/5/12:
OFW Announces Fresh Designer Line Up
Omaha, Neb. Nov. 5, 2013 – Omaha Fashion Week organizers announced the designers who have been selected to show during the fall/winter 2013 collections this Feb. 26- Mar. 2 at KANEKO. They include eight newcomers, two high school students and five designers from other markets who have Nebraska ties.
“The talent and creativity only continues to get better each season. We are so excited to welcome all of our designers – they all have inspiring stories,” said OFW Producer, Brook Hudson. OFW newcomer Hope Reiners, a swimwear designer based in LA, finds her inspiration by working with a Cambodian organization, Keok’jay, that works to create jobs and benefits for women who have HIV/AIDS. All participating designers have ties to the Midwest. (See biographical information on designers below.)
OFW is going into its sixth year and audience members can expect a week highlighting all aspects of the Midwest fashion scene. “We are planning a photography exhibition; a hair, makeup and accessories show; and several educational events focused on the industry,” said Hudson.
The applicant pool included 30 designers who were narrowed down to 16 for the upcoming season. Designers applied online with a limited number selected to pitch their ideas for their upcoming collection to a panel of industry experts brought together by the Fashion Institute Midwest. The experts scored each designer and provided feedback that OFW organizers used to make final selections.
The Fashion Institute Midwest provides designers with four months of mentoring and support leading up to their shows each season. The designers will also participate in a series of workshops and programs to help them prepare.
OFW Fall/Winter 2013 Show Schedule:
-
Tuesday, Feb. 26: Second Annual Cancer Survivor Show benefiting the Inner Beauty Salon at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center
-
Wednesday, Feb. 27: New this season - Hair, Makeup and Accessories Show
-
Thursday, Feb. 28: Children’s Wear and Bridal
-
Friday, Mar. 1: Ready to Wear
-
Saturday, Mar. 2: Avant Garde, Evening Wear, Men’s Wear and Swimwear
Tickets go on sale to the public January 14, 2013 at www.omahafashionweek.com/
###
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.
About Fashion Institute Midwest: The Fashion Institute Midwest is a non-profit operating under the Omaha Community Foundation that nurtures aspiring fashion designer talent by supporting and developing the Midwest fashion ecosystem through programming that provides creative inspiration, training opportunities, resources and business incubation to unlock the creative entrepreneurial potential in our young people.
Designer Biographies:
Amanda Clark: Amanda is a sustainable designer from Nebraska and now lives in St. Louis. All of her clothing is made with eco-friendly and recycled materials and is both wearable and sculptural. Amanda strives to keep her artistic vision in both her clothing design and while working as a graphic designer.
Aubrey Sookram: Aubrey’s collection, “MarkoosModernDesign” is clothing for the true modern child. Her colorful clothing collection is comfortable, affordable, and easy to care for.
Brittany Davidson: Brittany finds inspiration from her European heritage and the time she spent time studying abroad. In 2009 she started designing women and men’s wear.
Caine Westergard: Caine is an undergraduate student at Iowa State University. Her works include evening dresses, casual wear; women’s wear and baby clothing. Caine will be joining OFW for the second time, presenting for the first time under the label Caine by Caine Westergard and designing for the Jeff Hanson’s label.
Chad Carr: Chad revamped his Leggoons collection at the August 2012 OFW shows. Chad will take the Leggoons brand to the national stage in 2013. He will incorporate his past business experience with new fashion knowledge to create a brand that is both fun and fashionable. See Chad's swimwear on Saturday, March 2, 2013.
Christian Shuster: Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, menswear designer Christian Micheal Shuster launched his label in 2007. The christianMICHEAL design label has quickly become one of the most recognized and respected design labels in Kansas City, and has become synonymous with high quality and cutting edge menswear.
Hannah Olson: Hannah is a senior at Millard West. This will be her first year showing for OFW. She enjoys sketching and looking for ways to help her peers feel confident and bold in one-of-a-kind outfits.
Hollie Hanash: Hollie will be creating her fourth collection for OFW. Her label Ruffled Runway is perfect for the trendy kid who wants to be the playground princess. This collection “Summer in Paris” will feature classic silhouettes with a twist. This collection is sure to grab your attention either on the playground or the runway.
Hope Reiners: Hope designer of “Culture Swimwear” found her inspiration from the Cambodian born organization KeokÂ’jay, an organization that works to create jobs to benefit women with HIV/AIDS by providing them jobs and benefits.
Jeff Hanson:
The Jeff Hanson Collection made its debut at Omaha Fashion Week, Fall 2012. This season, the 19-year old, visually impaired artist from Kansas City returns to the runway with his exclusive, hand-painted gowns. Artist Jeff Hanson is Changing the World Through Art. Jeff's original paintings have benefited over 100 charities, raising $890,000. Jeff’s artwork will generate one million dollars for charity by his 20th birthday. One Million By 20! Jeff's paintings hang in the homes of Sir Elton John, Warren E. Buffett, Susan Sarandon and countless others who are touched by Jeff's spirit of giving to the world. Lessons From CLOD ... An Inspiring Story of Art, Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship chronicles Jeff’s journey through adversity (soon available at Amazon.com). Jeff's live motivational presentation will launch in the Fall of 2013.Jeff believes "Every act of kindness helps create kinder communities, more compassionate nations and a better world for all ... even one painting at a time." www.JeffreyOwenHanson.com
Jessica Seeley: Jessica is originally from Elkorn, Nebraska. She pursued her dream of fashion design and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2006. In March 2010, her collection, SeeleyDesigns was established.
Jillian Fellers: Jillian is an independent wedding and special occasion designer living in Lincoln, NE. Her designs feature vintage detailing with a modern aesthetic in high-end, luxury fabrics. Jillian is a UNL graduate with a degree in Textile and Apparel Design.
Kate Walz: At the age of 16, Kate Walz of Omaha, Nebraska will debut her Fall 2013 collection in New York Fashion Week. She is a veteran of Omaha Fashion Week and has shown her brand in several fashion shows. Kate, a High School Sophomore is a self taught designer who has had the passion for design since age 8. She started selling her clothing at age 12 in a boutique with fellow designers from Omaha. Her love for sophisticated, classic, and vintage clothing is what inspires Kate in her design, pattern making and sewing her garments. Kate has many supporters including Omaha Fashion Week and Fashion Camp NYC that are helping to make her dream as a designer come true.
Marie Nelson: Marie is the owner of Only by FAITH Custom Tailoring and Alterations. She does independent work for the whole family with focus on women’s wear that has a combination of elegant, dramatic and classic appeal.
Rachel Butler: Rachel moved from Virginia to study at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She studied Textiles and Apparel Design and was a member of the Husker Track and Field team. After graduating in 2011, she started sewing children’s clothing local boutiques. Her collection is inspired by motorcycles.
Yolanda Diaz: Yolanda has a degree in Fashion design from Juarez University School of Art in Durango, as well as Industrial Paterns at CECATI in Monterey Mexico. Diaz has been designing children clothing for over 20 years under the label Little Miss Fashion.