Omaha Fashion Week’s August 2021 GLITCHED season emerged last night with our WANTON Designer Showcase! Meaning to embody without limitation with reckless abandon, the WANTON Showcase allowed designers who were new to the industry to bring attention to their latest collections, full of intricate, detailed work.

Guests arrived at the Omaha Design Center and rushed to take photos by KateraMuriya Photography on the Omaha Fashion Week Red Carpet. Our Pre-Party kicked off with DJ Sharkweek, who kept the atmosphere upbeat as VIP guests made their way to the Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery | Dreams MedSpa VIP Lounge before the show and headed to the Omaha Fashion Week Pop-Up to shop the merchandise. After grabbing a local Cut Spike Distillery signature cocktail or a local Lucky Bucket Brewing beer, attendees found their premium seats along the Omaha Fashion Week Runway. Corporate boxes received complimentary bento boxes by Save the Date Catering.

With the resourcefulness of Aquage styling products and tools, the Omaha Fashion Week Beauty Alliance style models for the runway. Develop Models were runway-ready and the show began with a playfully unexpected collection by Headliner Crystal Brakhage, full of life and bold pops of color. Erin Smith's collection embraced the beauty in everyday life creating a daily nostalgic yet romantic closet. Next, Gracie Key Designs’ “Queen of Hearts” collection symbolized the idea of women as royalty without all the folklore on the runway. liv by Olivia Wagner’s collection captured modern utilitarianism with confidence, daring, and adventurous essence while shedding light on the labor issues in the industry. “Violet Gardens” by Anaí V emphasized the importance of becoming aware of oneself while acknowledging our diversities within society. Kinsey Anne Designs collection “Midnight Kiss” closed out the first segment of the show with dramatic romance entertained with fresh flowering innocence and fluid shapes to the runway.

During intermission, house music kept the energy up and attendees enjoyed looking through their Omaha FASHION Magazine. Attendees went to refill the cocktails and snapped a photo on the Red Carpet before returning beside the runway.

Lights dimmed and emcee Alexandra Stone of KETV NewsWatch 7 brought the crowd into the next segment of the show as she introduced Headliner Paper Temples by Michael Drummond + Emily Parente, which was a curated illustration of art for wear while featured draping with hand knits, encouraging local art to be worn on the body. Jeanne Nuage’s collection focusing on powerful femininity featuring a fresh start through all-white garments. Amanda Casarez’s collection foundation was based on the feelings of grief generated during social isolation with the use of dark colors and unique silhouettes down the runway. Then, “SIGNATURE” by christianMICHEAL embodied the brand with feminine silhouettes and playful drama. Bold color evokes a powerful feeling on the runway. The last collection of the night from MAANG by Yasi Fayal’s collection was inspired by the discovery of power and vision to achieve is felt in bold, powerful silhouettes on the runway.

Before the finale of the WANTON Showcase, Omaha Fashion Week honored The Hanson Family with the Sabrina Jones Spirit Award to honor the legacy of their son, Jeff, who passed away in December. He was a blind visual artist whose prolific work raised nearly $7 million for charity. For several seasons, Jeff applied his beautiful artistry to collections of gorgeous dresses, which were honored on the runway with a celebration of his life.

With a night full of glitz & glamour at Omaha Fashion Week, the last showcase is sure to be packed with excitement!