During our Fall 2024 season, OFW’s former producer, Brook Hudson, along with Owner and Director of Develop Model Management, Alyssa Dilts, continued a brand-new program inside of Omaha Fashion Week to support designers as they move through the seasons of our showcases. The Investor’s Circle is a public funding pool where anyone can donate any amount that will go directly into the pockets of our designers. Each designer who receives a grant gets $500 to help them with the cost of anything that pertains to the success of their collection. In our first year of funding, we raised $10,500, which led to 20 grants given out to designers in 2024.
We asked a few of last season’s grant recipients how it impacted their work and how they felt about the new program. Here’s what they said…
Photography | Heather and Jameson, Designer | Elsie’s Attic, Nicole Daberkow
What did the Investor's Circle grant help you achieve that would have been more difficult to do without or that you otherwise would not have been able to?
Nicole: The Investor's Circle grant allowed me to purchase the equipment I desperately needed to create my collection with the level of quality and professionalism that I strive for.
Judy: Having shown at Omaha Fashion Week for almost 10 years, I have struggled with fitting my pieces to my models. I live in southeastern Iowa, so often I do not meet and do fittings with my models until a few weeks before the show, when our collection should be almost complete. The Investor’s Circle grant allowed me to purchase a top-of-the-line dressmaker’s mannequin, with legs, removable arms, collapsible shoulders, and the ability to be pinned aggressively, as well as the ability to pad the mannequin up three sizes. This allows me to simulate each model’s body and more accurately design for them at a distance. Consequently, it allows me to choose models with a wider range of body types, a long time desire I have had. The mannequin is a fundamental tool for me as I increase my skills of draping and patternmaking. This will allow me to continually become more fluid in my ability to translate what is in my mind’s eye to the physical garment.
Rachel: Receiving the Investor’s Circle grant was a pivotal moment for me as a designer. The $500 grant provided by the OFW Investor’s Circle enabled me to invest in higher-quality fabrics and materials, elevating the craftsmanship and overall aesthetic of my collection. This financial support allowed me to experiment with new techniques and designs that would have been challenging to pursue otherwise and allowed me to curate my accessories to aid in telling my fashion story.
Bex: Digital printing imagery on specific fabrics was a major theme throughout my collection. Digital printing however is a costly procedure and was not something I had the money to do. Because of the Investors Circle grant I was able to elevate my fabrications which greatly impacted the visual reception of my designs.
Photography | Heather and Jameson, Designer | Judy Bales Designs, Judy Bales
What did receiving the Investor's Circle grant mean to you as a designer?
Nicole: As a new designer, I felt validated that the investors believed in my vision enough to award me a grant.
Judy: This was a rewarding show of confidence from the Investor’s Circle. Having this dressmaker’s form as a permanent fixture in my studio will positively affect my advanced learning and my evolution as an artist/designer for years to come.
Rachel: Beyond the financial assistance, receiving the grant was a profound affirmation of my work and vision. It signified that industry professionals and supporters believe in my potential and are willing to invest in my growth. This recognition has been incredibly motivating and has reinforced my commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
Bex: Receiving the Investor's Circle grant was a really special experience. I had never applied or received a grant before, and being involved with a competitive pool of designers to pitch ideas was a great learning experience. It meant a lot to be considered and while I was designing the collection I felt really grateful for the support.
Photography | Heather and Jameson, Designer | Rachel Marie Hurst LLC, Rachel Hurst
How does a program like the OFW Investor's Circle help change accessibility to fashion shows for designers?
Nicole: There are a lot of costs associated with designing a collection that new designers often don't realize or have the means to justify the costs. The Investor's Circle helps take finances out of the equation and let designers focus on creating their art.
Judy: The unrestricted aspect of this award allows each designer who receives it to make the decision about what their greatest need is—be it travel expenses for shows, better quality materials, education, whatever helps propel them forward. The designer decides whether they most need a short-term boost, or an object (like I did) that will have a long term effect. It is a huge vote of confidence and respect for the designer to give them this unrestricted freedom to use the funds as they see fit.
Rachel: Programs like the OFW Investor’s Circle are instrumental in democratizing access to fashion shows for fashion designers. By providing financial grants, the program reduces the barriers associated with showcasing collections on prominent platforms. This support not only alleviates some of the financial burdens but also fosters a more inclusive and diverse fashion community, allowing designers from various backgrounds to share their unique perspectives and talents.
Bex: It changes it drastically. The Investor's Circle made this show possible for me. I have a family and I would have had to literally choose between groceries and fabric to create this collection and participate in the show. Being awarded this grant took financial pressure off which allowed me to focus more on creativity. As for other designers, I think that having this award as an option would make them more likely to apply with the understanding that funding is an option. It certainly makes the overall process feel less intimidating.
Photography | Heather and Jameson, Designer | Un.Real, Bex Cermin
We could not have made such huge impacts on these designers without each and every one of you who contributed to the grant pool. Thank you so much to all who have helped us implement this new program, we cannot wait to see where it takes our community!
The 2025 funding pool is Open Nov 1-Jan 13th! Donating any amount will lock you into the Investor’s Circle for Spring and Fall 2025 season!
Cover Photo | Heather and Jameson