It’s time for designer interviews! We are proud to announce a group of talented, local panelists who will be selecting the designers who will showcase their collections on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway this fall. Designers will be placed into Emerging or Featured categories based on their skill set and experience.
Emerging Designers are brand new to the OFW runway, student designers, or veteran designers trying out a completely new method of creation. Designers in this track are working to build their portfolio, develop new concepts and perfect their runway presentation.
Featured Designers are working to promote their name and build their brand. They come in all forms, and the Selection Panel expects a clear design concept and incredibly high quality of work and thought in their application process.
Keep reading to learn more about this season’s panelists:
EMERGING DESIGNER PANEL
Brett Foster returned to Omaha after 15 years to start his own design business, WOWFACTORE. His came back from a fashion merchandising career with Marshall Fields in Minneapolis, and most recently from Vice President of Visual Merchandising and Marketing for Macy's in NYC. His retail career has involved everything from product development, trend forecasting, branding and presentation.
Buf Reynolds has more than 15 years of experience as a fashion designer, has worked as the VP of Talent Management for Omaha Fashion Week, and has owned a small business in downtown Omaha. Her expertise will carry designers from concept to sales with ease.
Edelweiss Rothe Lukash has more than 20 years of experience in the retail apparel, footwear, and home industry businesses. Under her direction, brands like Chico’s, Cole Haan, Motherhood, Etam were launched for the first time in the Mexican market. Today, she facilitates the development of new brand identities and marketing, product development, and trains business leaders to integrate multicultural teams!
Jason Redmond has been attending Omaha Fashion Week every year since its inception. He has a passion for being part of the fashion community, so much so that he made sure to propose to his wife during an OFW Runway Finale! Coming to Omaha via Chicago, Jason landed at Offutt Air Force Base in 2006. After serving for 25 years, he retired in 2015, and has continued his civilian work on base as a Cyber Security Engineer.
FEATURED DESIGNER PANEL
Dan Richters is an Omaha Fashion Week veteran and two time winner of the Omaha Fashion Cup. Dan has been designing with a unique eye for most of his life and displays his work in an LA Showroom. His runway experience, design expertise and incredible creativity will push our designers to the next level!
Dr. Barb Trout is a former professor of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design Program at UNL with a Ph.D in administration, curriculum and instruction. Her years of experience in the fashion industry and education allow her to mentor designers in many aspects.
Nanci Stephenson is the program coordinator and Lead Instructor of Fashion Design and Interior Design at Metropolitan Community College. Her “passion for fashion” and educational experience make her a great fit!
Nick Huff is co-owner of Hutch, an Omaha business that curates local, modern, and vintage art and furnishings, and was recently recognized nationally in Southwest: The Magazine. Nick’s entrepreneurial spirit, retail experience and eye for design brings a unique perspective to the panel!
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