There wasn’t an empty seat in the building Friday evening, as Omaha Fashion Week kicked off one of its final designer showcases of the week. Ten designers presented their work to a sold out crowd during ASPIRE: Emerging Designer Showcase.
With an unusual color palette and a wide array of patterns, headliner Zaftig Kitty kicked off the evening with a mix of business attire and eclectic accent pieces. Special guest and plus size fashion blogger Alysse Dalessandro of Ready to Stare walked in the collection, which represented multiple vintage textiles in a throwback manner.
Anisha Fashionista began the emerging designer portion, bringing spring to the runway with bring colors and classic silhouettes. Otto & Olsen used primary colors to recreate the night sky in their women’s line representing spontaneity, and the garments transformed the runways from day to night. In a timeless collection from Argeaux, garments took guests back in time as each outfit represented a different decade. A palette full of various colors and diverse textures captured the attention of everyone in the room. MPE Designs brought glitz and glam to the runway with feminine colors and incredible beading.
Angela B. finished out the first half of the show with her upbeat and unusual collection. Uncommon silhouettes, unconventional materials, and unique textures all worked together to create a distinctive combination.
During intermission, guests enjoyed shopping the Pop-Up Shop Market and snapping photos on the Borsheims Red Carpet. VIP's enjoyed hors d'oeuvres from Attitude on Food and delicious cocktails from Absolut Eylx in the Nebraska Furniture Mart VIP Lounge.
The second half kicked off with self-empowerment and self-expression. Indigo Eye Designs brought a mix of velvet textures, sequins and eye-catching colors. Stylistic features encouraged the wearer to be seen. Fun athleisure met casual ready to wear in CJB Design’s collection, with edgy prints and vibrant colors playing together on the runway. Rebekah Lux Designs hit the stage with garments featuring an edgy 70s vibe, bright colors, and deep tones. Sustainability was the focus in Hannah Hidalgo’s collection, with beautifully created deconstructed pieces. Scraps of reused denim were salvaged and recreated to create multiple up-cycled jeans and jackets.
To finish out the Emerging Designer Showcase, Tú showcased contemporary street wear. Practically met innovation with a utilitarian twist while monochromatic colors gave the collection a stealthy ominous look.
THURSDAY NIGHT PHOTO RECAP:
Runway | Heather & Jameson
Behind The Scenes | Kathy Rae Photography
Borsheims Red Carpet Experience | Addie Poe Photography
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram all week for more behind-the-scenes looks at Omaha Fashion Week! Stay tuned for last night's Borsheims Red Carpet photos, runway photos by Heather & Jameson, and behind-the-scenes photos from Kathy Rae and our other House Photographers!
TONIGHT: INNOVATE Featured Designer Showcase
[featured photo courtesy of Heather & Jameson]