Fashion Institute Guild Exclusive: Looks from the Runway

Last night, we sipped champagne with the beautiful people of the Fashion Institute Guild, learning how to transform runway fashion into something you could actually wear on a daily basis.  The presentation was given by Guild President, Alyssa Dilts of Develop Model Management and Guild Board Member, Autumn Foland of Design Parliament.  I loved this presentation because they not only showed pictures and videos, but they also had live models showing looks that I could actually wear! It makes such a difference seeing the look live on a model.

Quick review of Spring 2015:

The big closet-friendly theme from the S/S 2015 runways is Athleisure. This trend became a "thing" when ladies wanted to look good coming from the gym.  They needed the versatility of a workout look that could go from the gym to a business lunch.  Suddenly, we saw leather bombers paired with yoga pants and smart bags...and then the $200 track suit bottom was born.  From Target to McQueen, this trend is here to stay.  You'll see Athleisure looks made out of everything from scuba fabric, to tennis shoe fabric, to cashmere spun with cotton and spandex. Its hallmarks are versatility and performance...meaning sweat-wicking properties, stretch and durability. These high-tech fabrics can be seen in dresses, skirts and tops as well as the traditional track suit.

The key to pulling this look off is to make it look purposeful.  It can easily go "Momma June" if you aren't careful with how you put it together.  Be wary of the see-through yoga pant, which really isn't a pant at all.  Pay attention to the fabric and buy quality to avoid an unintended wardrobe malfunction. Good news is, you can buy Athleisure pieces at just about any clothing retailer...Omaha options include Target, Renu at Shoppes at Legacy and Design Parliament.

Fall/Winter 2015:

Designers really took an introspective approach to this season.  Especially after Anna Wintour announced that "trend" was a dirty word.  Designers are speaking to the woman who wants to purchase an investment piece and define her own style, and they've (designers) gone back to the roots of their respective fashion houses.  Rather than focusing on trend, they are working with the ideas of individual styling and how a woman presents herself authentically to the world. Despite all of that, there were some themes that surfaced...

• Leather: We saw it in bright colors and feminine silhouettes this spring, but it's coming back in dark colors and longer lengths for fall.  We are seeing it mixed with suede, accented with fringe and cut with square shoulders for a more androgynous effect.
• Car wash skirts and flared pants are the "it" silhouettes of the season. Glad I didn't get rid of all my flared pants from college...now if I could just fit into them!
• 70's Boho is not going away any time soon. Ponchos, chunky knits, lace, shearling, velvet.
• Accessories of the moment: Statement earrings and geeky glasses.

Alyssa and Autumn also covered what we can look forward to in menswear:

• Athleisure: Track suits and trainers, some with a ballet flair
• More focus on day wear and a movement away from evening wear to more accurately reflect the lives of real men.

If you are interested in getting the inside track on the fashion scene - from the runways of Omaha to Paris - I strongly recommend joining the Fashion Institute Guild! Benefits include invites to exclusive events like this, plus special deals on OFW tickets and other exciting fashion happenings. Join the  Fashion Institute Guild  here!

Join OFW for Trendevous Sept. 20 at Younkers Westroads!

We CAN'T WAIT for Trendevous at Younkers Westroads on September 20!  This is our favorite time to shop (outside of getting Red Carpet Ready for OFW)...why?  Because Younkers pulls out all the stops with great deals on all of their brand new fall merchandise!  Those deals also include the hottest new cosmetics and skin care in the beauty department.

Trendevous includes an in-store fashion show featuring 50 head-to-toe looks put together by a team of professional stylists, along with free makeovers, free food and a DJ.  Show organizers provide you with a detailed description of each look in the event program...and then you can shop those looks - all organized on racks - immediately following the show!  We are especially excited to see the ruff hewn GREY line by Andrea Sanderlin that debuted during OFW in August!!

The best part is that 10% of every dollar you spend goes back to the Fashion Institute Midwest.  This is the PERFECT time to get a great deal on a stellar outfit for the upcoming Fashion Impact Awards Gala.

Join us Saturday, Sept. 20 for Trendevous!  Doors open at 10 a.m. and fashion show starts at 11 a.m.  You can RSVP Here: www.trendevous.com

Fashion Institute Midwest Announces OFW Finale Line Up

The Fashion Institute Midwest has announced the lineup for the upcoming Finale of Omaha Fashion Week on Saturday, Aug. 23 under the tents in the Capitol District. Selection Panel Chairmen Rick Carey and David Scott said, “We were so impressed with the emerging talent. It is very exciting to see this quality of design which continues to get better year after year.  This will be the best Omaha Fashion Week yet!"

Since April, designers have been working with members of the Fashion Institute Selection Panel during regular group meetings and workshops. They’ve discussed target markets, fabric sourcing, runway styling and even post-event sales strategy, all in an effort to help the designers make the most of their opportunity at Omaha Fashion Week.

The mentoring program, coordinated by the Fashion Institute Midwest, culminated in the OFW Rack Check held last Saturday, where collections were reviewed and decisions were made about who has what it takes to be in the Finale.

Of the designers selected for the Finale, six are first timers. They are: Whitney Rorah, Denise Ervin, Erica Cardenas & Bryan Frost, Bridgit Mahony and Vesela Zarankova.  The following designers will compete for the $10,000 Fashion Institute Fashion Cup at the Finale:

• Susan Ludlow
• Whitney Rorah
• Max Suiter
• Denise Ervin
• Vesela Zarankova
• Angela Balderson
• Jane Round
• Juanteisha Christian
• Erica Cardenas & Bryan Frost
• Fella Vaughn
• Bridget Mahony
• Kate Walz

Dan Richters, the winner of last year’s Fashion Cup, will present a capsule collection of his work that will not be part of the competition.  Here is the show schedule for the week:

• Monday, August 18 - Accessories, Children’s Wear and Bridal
• Tuesday, August 19 - Ready to Wear I
• Wednesday, August 20 - Avant Garde
• Thursday, August 21 - Ready to Wear II
• Friday, August 22 - Evening Wear
• Saturday, August 23 – Finale followed by Official OFW After Party

About Fashion Institute Midwest: The Fashion Institute Midwest is a non-profit that nurtures aspiring fashion designer talent by supporting and developing the Midwest fashion ecosystem through programming that provides creative inspiration, training opportunities, resources and business incubation to unlock the creative entrepreneurial potential in our young people. Support the Institute at www.fashioninstitutemidwest.org.

About Omaha Fashion Week: On the inside, Omaha Fashion Week is a talent incubator that seamlessly connects designers, stylists, photographers, artists and models through nurturing platforms and engaging opportunities. On the outside, Omaha Fashion Week is Midwest’s premier fashion event; spotlighting fashion innovations and celebrating creative excellence. Learn more at www.omahafashionweek.com.  #omahafashion

To Purchase tickets to the finale click here, and be sure to purchase tickets to our Official OFW AfterParty by clicking here as well!

OFW Announces Fresh Designer Line Up and New Venue for March 2014 Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OFW Announces Fresh Designer Line Up and New Venue for March 2014 Season

Omaha, Neb. October 28, 2013 – Omaha Fashion Week organizers announced the designers who have been selected to show Fall/Winter 2014 collections during the next season of OFW March 4-9 in 2014. The lineup of 15 designers includes six newcomers, two high school students and all are from Nebraska or Iowa. Organizers have also selected a new venue for the fashion shows.

“This was a very entrepreneurial group of applicants.  Several are looking at manufacturing and one has a storefront,” said OFW Producer Brook Hudson. “It’s so exciting to see how far we’ve come as a fashion community in the seven years since OFW began.”  Highlights from interviews:

1. Hollie Hanash, the designer behind the children’s wear label, Ruffled Runway, is rolling out a line of avant garde pieces for adults.
2. Wallflower, a label by OFW newcomers Bryan Frost and Erica Cardenas, has a storefront that will be opening on Nov. 2 at 1402 South 13th Street.
3. Children’s wear designer Aubrey Sookram of MarkoosModernDesign is getting ready to sell 500 dresses on Zullily.com.  She made all 500 dresses herself in her basement studio.

The applicant pool included 30 designers who were narrowed down to the 15 who were selected. Designers applied and pitched their ideas to a panel of industry experts brought together by the Fashion Institute Midwest last week. The experts scored each designer and provided feedback that OFW organizers used to make final selections.

OFW also has a new venue.  The Omar Bakery Building, located at 4383 Nicholas Street, will be the new home of OFW next spring.  “The space is beautiful with exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors and great facilities.  There is plenty of room for expansion,” Hudson said. The 16,000 square-foot event space at the Omar is under construction and will be open for events starting in December.  “We feel very fortunate to be one of the first to book the space.”

A complete schedule of events for Mar. 4-9 will be announced in late November, with tickets going on sale Jan. 15, 2014. Below is a list of designer bios:

High Schoolers

Elda Doamekpo is a high school student with a brand called Élle Inspired.  Her evening wear collection is inspired 1940’s Dior.  Elda is also a runway newcomer.

Kate Walz designs vintage inspired gowns with feminine details and timeless silhouettes. Her Fall 2014 collection is inspired by the Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1967)

Veterans

Angela Balderston creates avant garde pieces made from plaster and non-traditional materials under the label Get Plastered!

Terri Buckner is the designer of Nuevintage Apparel + Accessories. Her passion is recycling vintage clothing into new one-of-a-kind designs by reconstruction of the original garments and accessories.

Hollie Hanash is the designer of Ruffled Runway, an upscale children’s brand made for the unique kid that wants to stand out. This season Hanash will create a second line of adult avant garde pieces.

Hannah Olson is an 18-year-old designer who loves to make custom garments for all sizes under her label, Hannah Caroline. She is dedicated to improving the selection of plus-sized apparel and helping women feel beautiful in their own skin.

Buf Reynolds has been creating garments for seventeen years. She is self-taught and loves the creative outlet fashion gives her.

Stacey Sipp is a multi-media artist and who specializes in out-of-the-ordinary pieces and specialty dresses for the tweens. She hopes her collection can be a vehicle for young girls to express themselves instead of blending into the crowd.

Aubrey Sookram studied Fashion design and Marketing at the UNL. She designs children's clothing and accessories under the name MarkoosModernDesign.

Fella Vaughn received his degree in Fashion Textiles Clothing and Design at UNL. This will be his fifth year participating in Omaha Fashion Week.

Runway Newcomers

Jessica Collins is a children’s wear designer of modern party dresses who will feature layers of chiffon and lace in purples and pinks with accents of gold and ivory.

Bryan Frost and Erica Cardenas, designers behind Wallflower, will present a collection of ready-to-wear looks inspired by theater, titled “Evening at the Orpheum”.

Crystal Hobson is a UNL graduate with a goal to become a costume designer, either for theater or film. She will show an avant garde collection detailed with quilted elements paired with clear vinyl and sheer chiffon.

Katie Thomspon is a senior at Iowa State University whose designs range from evening wear and menswear, to outerwear and toddler and baby clothing. Her ready-to-wear collection is inspired by Jackie O.

Margie Trembley, Omaha designer of fascinator hats and bridal memory scarves, has exhibited her fiber art at the Chicago Botanic Garden and at her gallery, Springfield Artworks.

###

About Omaha Fashion Week: On the inside, Omaha Fashion Week is a talent incubator that seamlessly connects designers, stylists, photographers, artists and models through nurturing platforms and engaging opportunities. On the outside, Omaha Fashion Week is Midwest’s premier fashion event; spotlighting fashion innovations and celebrating creative excellence. Learn more at www.omahafashionweek.com.

About Fashion Institute Midwest: The Fashion Institute Midwest is a non-profit that nurtures aspiring fashion designer talent by supporting and developing the Midwest fashion ecosystem through programming that provides creative inspiration, training opportunities, resources and business incubation to unlock the creative entrepreneurial potential in our young people. Support the Institute at www.fashioninstitutemidwest.org.

Join the Fashion Institute Guild for the Trendevous Fashion & Beauty Event 9/21

The Fashion Institute Guild and OFW Producer Brook Hudson cordially invite you to join them for the Trendevous Fashion & Beauty event at Younker's on Saturday, September 21 at 10 a.m.

• 10 a.m. Private shopping for shoes and better sportswear
• 11 a.m. Fashion show featuring 50 head-to-toe looks for fall, presented by OFW Producer Brook Hudson

Attendees will receive free makeovers and an exclusive shopping booklet with 25% off all items featured in the show.  Register to win a free shopping spree...plus 10% of proceeds benefit the Fashion Institute Midwest!

RSVP at (402) 397-3800, ext. 3203 by Sept. 18 to make your $10 reservation and receive a $10 Younkers gift card. Seating is limited, so don’t delay!

August 25 Finale Designers Selected

 

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Designers Selected for Omaha Fashion Week Runway Finale

Omaha, NE, July 20, 2012 – Omaha Fashion Week organizers have announced the line-up for the Runway Finale on August 25.  “This year we have made a big shift in the way we select designers for the Finale,” OFW Producer Nick Hudson said.  “We’ve waited until now to cast Saturday night designers so we could see how their collections are shaping up and select the very best looks.”  This will make the much anticipated OFW Runway Finale a “best of week” show, allowing for a broader selection of designers to be seen by thousands of attendees on the 400-ft runway than ever before.

The Fashion Institute Midwest, formerly the Omaha Fashion Institute, pulled together a selection panel of industry experts to review and evaluate designers’ collections last Saturday at the OFW Hanger Check.  Members of this panel selected 37 designers to show during the week out of 64 applicants in April.  The results have been tallied, with the following 22 designers being selected for coveted Saturday night positions:

Angela Balderston for Get Plastered Audio Helkuik Buf Reynolds Dan Richters Eliana Smith Ellene McClay for FORTRESS Fella Vaughn for Fella Hollie Hanash for Ruffled Runway JHaus Kate Walz for Just Because Jessica Hansen for Jessica Alyse KKini Leggoons Maximillian Suiter for Max Millian Terri Jen Buckner for Nuevintage Apparel & Accessories Tiffany Headley for Donna Faye Erin Thomas for Toxic Sadie

Emerging Designer Micro Collections: Elizabeth Medina Emely Valadez Lauren Birkentall Jeff Hansen Kaitlyn Fitzgerald

*This line up is subject to change as collections are finalized over the next four weeks.

Omaha Fashion Week is set for August 20-25 in Omaha’s Old Market.  Join the organization for its fifth anniversary by purchasing your tickets at www.omahafashionweek.com/tickets.  Ticket prices range from $65-$20 for weeknight seats and $120-$30 for Runway Finale seats.  VIP tables for the Finale are $1,000.

###

About Omaha Fashion Week On the inside, Omaha Fashion Week is a talent incubator that seamlessly connects designers, stylists, photographers, artists and models through nurturing platforms and engaging opportunities. On the outside, Omaha Fashion Week is Midwest’s premier fashion event; spotlighting fashion innovations and celebrating creative excellence. Learn more at www.omahafashionweek.com.

About Fashion Institute Midwest The Fashion Institute Midwest, formerly the Omaha Fashion Institute, is a non-profit operating under the Omaha Community Foundation that nurtures aspiring fashion designer talent by supporting and developing the Midwest fashion ecosystem through programming that provides creative inspiration, training opportunities, resources and business incubation to unlock the creative entrepreneurial potential in our young people. Support the OFI at www.omahafashionweek.com/institute.