FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Omaha Fashion Week Announces August 2012 Designers
Omaha, NE, Apr. 23, 2012 - Omaha Fashion Week organizers announced this week the designers who have been selected to show collections during the organization's August 2012 shows. They include 12 newcomers, four high school students, two designers who currently live outside of Omaha and two designers who are launching national brands.
“We are really excited to have Chad Carr and JLynn Hausmann on board,” said OFW producer Brook Hudson. Carr is reviving the 1980’s swimwear brand, Leggoons, and Hausmann is launching high-end denim brand, JHaus, based out of L.A. during the August shows. Both Carr and Hausmann are Nebraska natives. “It’s gratifying to see that designers view OFW as the ideal platform to launch their brands nationally,” Hudson said.
The applicant pool included 64 designers who were narrowed down to 37 for the August shows. Designers applied online and a limited number were selected to pitch their ideas for their upcoming collection with a panel of industry experts brought together by the Omaha Fashion Institute. The experts scored each designer and provided feedback that organizers used to make final selection decisions.
Designers were placed into categories based on the type of work they do. "Fans can expect a theme for each night of fashion week," Hudson said. “This allows fans to select what types of fashions they see.” The OFW show schedule will have nights focused on the following areas: Children’s wear, avant garde, bridal and swimwear, evening wear and day wear.
One significant change this year is that designers for the Saturday night finale have not yet been selected. “Saturday night will be a ‘best of’ show that includes our favorite looks from the week. We will be working with designers over the summer to see how their collections progress before making final decisions about the Saturday show,” Hudson said. Show organizers hope to feature 80-100 looks at the Saturday Finale, which will be held outdoors on Jones Street. Weeknight shows will be held indoors at KANEKO on 1111 Jones St.
OFW August 2012 is scheduled for August 20-25. Tickets go on sale June 1 at omahafashionweek.com/tickets. Prices for weeknight tickets range from $65 for a VIP seat to $50-$30 for reserved seats. Ticket prices for the Saturday Finale range from $1,000 for a 10-person VIP table or $120 for an individual VIP seat to $60-$30 for reserved seats.
Omaha Fashion Week: August 2012 Designers
Children’s Wear: Monday Night, 8/20
Aubrey Sookram for Markoos Modern Design
Hollie Hanash for Ruffled Runway
Jea Theis for Jake & Lucy
Rebecca Robbins for Fit for a Princess
Susan Ludlow
Yolanda Diaz for Little Miss Fashion
Avant Garde: Tuesday Night, 8/21
Angela Balderston for Get Plastered
Audio Helkuik
Dan Richters
Ellene McClay for FORTRESS
Joi Katskee for Joi Joison
Mai Do
Terri Jen Buckner for Nuevintage Apparel & Accessories
Tiffany Headley for Donna Faye
Bridal & Swimwear: Wednesday Night, 8/22
Chad Carr for Leggoons
Erin Thomas for Toxic Sadie
Jessica Hansen for Jessica Alyse
Kendra Morgan for AML Designs
Michaela Cawley for Kkini
Sabrina Jones
Evening Wear: Thursday Night, 8/23
Bertiher De La Cruz
Buf Reynolds
Fella Vaughn for Fella
Juantiesha Christian for SuShe by J. Tracy
Kate Walz for Just Because
Lameesha Stuckey for Stylishly Chic
Leah Casper for Casper Couture
Maximillian Suiter for Max Millian
Williams Torres for WILL STYLE
Day Wear: Friday Night, 8/24
Audra McAvaddy for Coriander
Daniel Munoz
Eliana Smith
Kaitlyn Fitzgerald for KAIT Blu
Masey Rost
JLynn Hausmann for JHaus
Shamina Wiek for Pastel GROOVE House
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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 Omaha Fashion Institute
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/omaha-fashion-institute.
About Kaneko
KANEKO is a new kind of organization – not a museum – not a gallery – not a library nor a research center – but an open space for open minds that nurtures and promotes creativity in the arts, sciences, and philosophy. Through progressive exhibitions, performances, lectures, symposia, and innovative programming we encourage people to explore and experience the creative process that is essential to all human activity. Learn more at www.thekaneko.org.
