We are so excited to bring another season of the Midwest’s premiere fashion event to our audience this March! We are already busy planning this extraordinary event after just a short break following the August shows.
As always, we have an exciting group of people lined up to be on our official panel this season. Those people include Nick Huff, Phil Hawkins, Robyn Kortan, Sam Hohman, and Vanessa Barrett.
Get to know this phenomenal line up a bit more…
Nick Huff
Nick is currently co owner of Hutch, a local business in Omaha that curates local, modern, and vintage art and furnishings. He has been working with this unique establishment for the past two years. Some of Nicks career accomplishments include appearing on Animal Planet's "Treehouse Masters", speaking at the Greater Omaha Young Professionals Summit, being photographed for the “Style” section in Omaha Magazine, and of course, opening Hutch. Nick looks forward to “working directly with all of the designers to encourage and push them to really think outside the box for this years show.”
Phil Hawkins
Phil is a visual artist specializing in painting, sculpture, and installation. Recently Phil also exhibited a new line of wearable art cuffs at OFW 2015. His background also includes two degrees in graphic design and arts management. With a keen sense of design, Phil is in the right place with being on our panel. His background and expertise, not to mention his recognition as a regional artist, makes Phil an exceptional addition to our panel for the March shows.
Robyn Kortan
Robyn brings background experience in fashion and retail with the Dayton Hudson Department Store Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She retired from the company as a Senior Buyer. With DHDS, she managed several multi million dollar businesses using trend merchandising, business analysis, and marketing skills. Furthermore, she developed and imported private label merchandise for her departments and for other AMC stores. Robyn will be bringing a different perspective beyond the runway this season, which includes viability and implementation.
Sam Hohman
Sam will be bringing a background in both fashion design and art history to our panel this season. She is also Co-Chair of the Fashion Institute of the Midwest. Throughout her career, Sam has balanced multiple businesses including LIV Lounge, Credit Advisors Foundation, and Arbor Education. She is looking forward to seeing the culmination of a season’s worth of work grace the stage this coming March.
Vanessa Barrett
Vanessa began her career as a window dresser, she then went to being a visual director for Brandeis and Younkers, and after that she became the owner and buyer of a men’s and ladies store, Barrett-Reed. She is extremely passionate about fashion and design from all ends- construction to the final presentation. Vanessa looks forward to learning about the designers and what creative paths they are following. With experience in interior design, wardrobe styling, jewelry design, and editor of THE SCOUT GUIDE OMAHA, Vanessa makes a great addition to our panel this season!