Omaha Fashion Week is lifting the veil and showing off behind the scenes in our Fall 2024 VERUS Season. This season's designers draw inspiration from the natural world and repurposed materials while exploring themes of community and cultural heritage.
We are thrilled to present an amazing lineup of Emerging Designers showcasing in the first half! Emerging Designers are either brand new to the OFW runway, student designers, or veteran designers trying out a completely new method of creation. We will close the show with an incredible lineup of inspiring collections by our Featured Designers. This designer track is full of experts at their craft who will showcase high-quality, ready-to-buy looks on the runway.
Meet Thursday Night’s Designers below:
EMERGING DESIGNERS:
Emerging Designers:
Denim infusion | Sarah Khamis | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
Not being able to find the right clothing that fits my own style in stores is what inspired me to start designing clothing. Growing up I wasn’t able to find clothing that would fit my size as a taller and curvy girl. I have always had an artistic mindset, so I got to really use my imagination to be able design and put pieces together that fit my shape and size in a style that I love.
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
My fashion icons are Marc Jacob’s and Virgil Abloh (Off-White designer). These two are my favorite fashion icons because they both design looks that fits my style and aesthetic such as incorporating denim and bright color in pieces to make their designs look exaggerated.
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
Street wall art, graffiti, patchwork and vibrant bright colors have inspired my collection for OFW August 2024. These have all inspired me because as a darker-skin woman, vibrant colors have always looked great against my skin tone, and they also show my bright personality. I have always enjoyed driving around and looking at the wall art on the streets which has gave me inspiration to my collection.
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
Getting the opportunity to showcase my designs and constructed work on a larger platform is what makes me excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway. Coming out of town from Iowa, there isn’t as many ways to be able to show your work to people. Being a senior and graduating high school, this makes me feel like I have taken one of my next big steps which makes me excited!
i'llnevershowinparis | Rodrigo Garcia Nieto | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
As a kid, I was set on making into the NBA, but instead of practicing my skills I started designing what my signature shoe line would look like. Eventually I branched off to making concept sneakers for Off-White, Yeezy, and eventaully started sketching actual clothing.
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
When i was first introduced to the world of fashion, i was heavily exposed to the avant scene. Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens, and Martin Margiela have all served as a major source of inspiration for me and my designs.
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
I was inspired by the city of Turin, in northern Italy and wanted to capture its elegance and immense history. The architecture and historic landmarks are my main source of inspiration for my designs.
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
Being able to display my creations and artworks and to be able to show a new perspective to the fashion scene. Also being fresh out of high school, so I'm exited to show the world what an 18 year old is capable of doing.
Maison CGK | Correta Gagnon Koudji | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
I grew up watching my grandfather design and sew for his clients and it lit a fire inside me that I have never been able to put down. Nothing else in this world brings me the same fulfillment as bringing my designs to life.
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
My designer inspirations are Elie Saab, Paolo Sebastian and Laquan Smith, and Schiapparelli. As fas as icons go, the work of Law Roach with Zendaya stands out to me as a consistent reminder of the power of Fashion to redefine.
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
The Pink Project is the emphasizing of anything and everything feminine.
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
"The Pink Project" aims to explore the beauty of femininity in spite of the preconceived notions that have been placed on the ways we choose to represent ourselves. By using elements that are thought of as distinctly feminine, I aim to give them a deeper meaning.
stXr | Nevaeh Cogbill | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
Ever since I was small, I was a little fashionista! My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was young, and it stuck with me since. I wanted to express myself and my art through something I have a passion for.
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
I love 1920s fashion, the flapper dresses, pearls and feathers. I also love the work of Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes she wasn’t afraid to use the silhouette of woman and create beautiful pieces.
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
I wanted to express not only the beauty of women but our power and our relation to nature. I feel as if flowers are one of the many symbols that represent that.
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
I’m excited to show my work on a runway for the first time! This is a new experience I hope to learn from and gain in my career as a designer.
FEATURED DESIGNERS:
House of Pamela Renee | Pamela Lucas | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
Years ago, while in High School, my dad gave my older sister a suede coat with a fur collar. I received a sewing machine. I was so mad!! But now look. I took the sewing machine and now I am a Fashion Designer!!
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
I was so impressed by Yves St. Laurent when HE designed those women suits with flat top brim hats and gloves. It was so high fashion, I have been in love ever since.
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
My collection this season is inspired by Geometry. I love Pattern drafting and Pattern drafting is all about shapes and angles. I want others to see that Geometry is fashionable!
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
I am stepping out of my comfort zone this season with High Fashion Wearable Art! Omaha is the 4th best producing fashion show platform in the nation!! I am extremely excited to be part of it.
Lauren Bander | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
Always knowing that she wanted to be involved in the art industry somehow, it began with Lauren wanting to draw and paint; other than the cross stitching that her grandma had taught her, sewing and fashion didn't cross her mind until later. Eventually Lauren traded in her pencils and paints for needles and fabric. She then wanted to find a way to combine her three passions in life: fashion, animals and mental health advocacy; so she is using her talents and love of fashion to bring awareness to animal rescue and helping to normalize the conversation of mental health.
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
From the time I began designing, the designer that has inspired me most is Christian Dior. As I continue in my design journey, I am inspired by designers such as Alice and Olivia, with their ethereal looks full of movement – though I use much less color!
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
The story I want to tell this season is about going back to your roots/finding yourself. The last couple of years, life has been hard to say the least, I’ve felt lost and just trying to get myself back amid everything else life seemed to be throwing at me. One of my first ever collections I designed was titled “Nightmares.” This has forever stayed one of my favorite collections I’ve done, one that I am always comparing my current collections to. In an effort to find myself and sort of get back to my design roots, it feels that now is the time to do a continuation of that collection 12 years later; Nightmares: Part 2. Because sometimes life is about chasing your dreams but also fighting through the nightmares.
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
The love and support of the Omaha fashion community is one of my favorite parts, and what I most look forward to, about being back on the OFW Runway. I’m always excited to show how I’ve grown and to tell a new story to such an inspiring audience.
Spacecamp Studios | Rebecca Hollar | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
I’ve always had a love for fashion. During COVID, I taught myself how to sew and bring my ideas to life! I quickly fell in love with the design process and decided to launch my own brand.
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
I’m heavily inspired by Vivienne Westwood, a true icon in the fashion and punk scene. I am also inspired by Virgil Abloh, a designer, DJ, and architect.
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
This collection is inspired by 1960s punk fashion. Each look will consist of a variety of textures and patterns. It will be very loud and busy, yet sill wearable. I’m excited to showcase my new ideas and growth as a designer.
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
I am also excited to showcase my new soundtrack I produced to go with the collection, creating an immersive experience.
The Mina Catalogue | Charmaine Miranda | Follow on Instagram
What inspired you to start designing clothing?
I was always fascinated as a youth about how one decides what to wear and how they express themselves through clothes. I started designing clothes that resonate with individuals who love a classic look but are always open to trying out trends and incorporating what speaks to their aesthetics.
Who are your fashion icons and/or designer inspirations?
A few fashion legends/designers that I look up to are Vivienne Westwood, Loewe and Dior. I love Westwood’s take on classic structured pieces combined with really fun and unique fabric combinations. I admire Vivienne Westwood, Loewe and Dior’s ever evolving designs – timeless, but incorporate trends and marry them into their brand aesthetics.
What inspired your collection for OFW August 2024?
Combining inspiration by author Naoko Takeuchi's Japanese manga anime "Sailor Moon" and classic silhouettes of western collegiate school wear from the 1920's, this collection will include separates, dresses and pleated pieces. The nostalgia of Sailor Moon's sailor scouts transforming from being young, carefree students into super-suited metaheroes played a key role in the design development. The collection emboldens elements of my inspiration, such as icons/symbols and traditional school uniform silhouettes.
What makes you excited to show on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway?
I’m excited to show a new collection and see all the creatives work together in harmony to produce a great show. It’s always a pleasure working with everyone at OFW to make it all happen.
You’re not going to want to miss these incredible and innovative collections by our Emerging, Featured, and Headlining Designers showing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Omaha Fashion Week Fall 2024 VERUS Season.
Cover Photo | Michael Pysh
Runway Sponsor | Milan Laser