Omaha Fashion Week’s passion series The Front Row offers an up-close look at the creators and cultivators that are reshaping Omaha’s fashion and arts community. Licensed Cosmetologist and OFW Beauty Alliance member Paty Figtree has been involved with Omaha Fashion Week for seven years. Paty shares secrets of the beauty industry and how the community can be better supported.
Can you start by telling us how you got your start in the beauty industry?
I moved to Omaha in the summer of 2009 after graduating with an Associates Degree in Art and no clear idea of what to do for a career. I had toured quite a few art colleges and decided that they just weren’t quite what I needed to feed my creativity. I had always changed up my hair and looks since I was 16. After taking a tour of a hair school from a nice girl with a blue mohawk, I felt maybe I could find some like-minded individuals and signed up to start there in the fall. I still wasn’t clear on where I was headed but knew that I had found somewhere in this industry where I belonged.
Photo by Alicia Skillman.
How long have you been involved in Omaha Fashion Week?
I started pursuing hair in the fashion industry before I even graduated cosmetology school, but my first chance behind the OFW scenes was in 2013 for my friend Tiffany Headley and her line Haus of Donna Faye. I started in a Raw: Artist collective show and continued to style for her after that at Omaha Fashion Week. Taking off and immersing myself as much as possible, I have been backstage twice a year for every season since then, watching it grow and helping with the birth of the Beauty Alliance.
How have you seen the beauty community evolve in Omaha?
It once was a battle for designers, sloppy timing and work, cattiness and mistrust. Once the OFWBA [Omaha Fashion Week Beauty Alliance] was established, we instantly started seeing a change in the type of person working backstage. From being more prepared and on time, to being helpful and willing to jump in where needed, actually being friendly with the others around us, and wanting to connect with each other. YOU are in charge of your success, and it really helped and changed the atmosphere backstage and on stage. With the addition of the Empire Room in 2019, I saw stylists actually excited for fashion week and coming together in a creative space.
Paty and other members of the Beauty Alliance at The Empire Room, where hair and makeup for Omaha Fashion Week is done.
What is your favorite industry to style for?
I’ve been referred to as ‘The Unicorn Girl’ for fairly obvious reasons, not just from my looks, but the ones I like to create! If I could pick one thing it’d have to be photoshoots of my own creations. From coming up with a concept to making it come to life, I love seeing people’s reactions to the ideas that come out of my brain.
I also have a fairly large collection of undercut clients wanting designs. They come in with anywhere from a 2” shaved square, to half their head! I love that the majority of them want me to just get creative and surprise them. Sometimes I’ll scroll through some pictures with them, but mostly I’ll just get a general idea and start in on it and the design comes to life as I go!
“When it comes to working behind the chair in an everyday environment, I’d have to say that I thrive more as a stylist, particularly a colorist. I enjoy the creativity I have and how I get to use my color knowledge and my creative eye to bridge the gap between just getting your hair colored, and art.”
Paty and Kelsey Spirit, founder of Indigo Eye Designs, on the Omaha Fashion Week Red Carpet. Photo by Morgan Jade.
What was your favorite collection to work on?
So far my favorite designer to work for would have to be a tie. My close friend and current coworker [Kelsey Spirit] is the founder of Indigo Eye Designs and has been one of my greatest inspirations and helps along this journey. I encouraged her to enter her line in 2018, and after agreeing to be the makeup artist and a bit of creative side help she succeeded in not only creating and showing two lines in one year but winning in Spring 2019.
My second would be the ever-eccentric, super innovative Dan Richters and his silicone outfits. I fell in love with his look and in the Fall 2018, I got the opportunity to be his MUA [makeup artist]. He had one white dress in this line, and I immediately fell in love with it and knew I needed it for my wedding. I have since styled for him and used his outfits in quite a few photoshoots myself. His whimsical looks with a very earthy vibe from such a strange medium always inspire me and bring out my creativity!
What are some of your main career goals?
Continuing to learn about the beauty industry in all its forms, from becoming a better leader and educator, expanding my coloring techniques, and having the opportunity to grow in a salon with like-minded ambitious stylists.
If you could advise others pursuing a similar career, what would you tell them?
Find someone that is doing what you want to or that inspires you, and reach out to them. Start following anything and anyone even close to something in the industry you would be interested in and start to imagine your life as theirs. Volunteer your time and talents to get involved in the community, hone your skills, and give back, nothing really makes your heart sing like helping others.
Paty getting a model ready to walk in Omaha Fashion Week. Photo by Carley Scott Fields.
How is the Beauty Alliance beneficial?
I loved watching the alliance come to life and start to organize the backstage experience, not just for the ones already involved, but those that were new and hungry to learn. After being apart of this for so many years, it is so awesome to get students backstage crowded around learning and asking questions to fuel their ambition.
As of this year, we now have what we call “SUPER TEAMS”. They consist of one pro hairstylist and one pro makeup artist, someone that has been involved and proven they can hold their own backstage, and up to 10 students per designer. Splitting the designer’s models in half, the pro’s job is to relay the looks being created, help where it’s needed, encourage and keep everyone task-oriented, and make sure everyone is ready to go in the allotted time. Basically, multitask at the highest level with a smile!
What does the public not know about the Beauty Alliance?
That we are collectively like one huge organ, breathing, moving, and creating together because we WANT to. Not only are we not paid, but we bring our own makeup and tools and are donating our time that we could’ve been behind the chair making money with. We communicate with the designer assigned to us directly to bring their vision to life and know what they’re wanting prior to the show, not someone telling us what to do.
Where would you like to see changes in the beauty industry?
Recognition is huge in becoming a more trusted and sought-after stylist. Putting participation on your resume is great, but pictures and magazine printing is what you can actually show for it. We strive so hard to be acknowledged, let alone given the credit for working our butts off and praise just for being involved. After participating in NYFW and coming back to the OFWBA, it really is eye-opening to see what our community has created over time, especially being in the Midwest. Promoting us, showing the public what we really do and how hard but rewarding it is would bring so many of us the hope that it isn’t just about the designers.
How can Omaha better support the beauty industry?
Be aware of all the support we still need existing in the Midwest. We may be one of the largest and longest-standing fashion shows, but in the real world, we still struggle to make ends meet. Without continued education that we spend our own time and money on, usually having to travel for also, we don’t level up. Understanding that and knowing that we usually don’t get paid for anything fashion-wise might help you understand our prices and personalities better. Giving us more opportunities for paid experiences, or just understanding our worth, is the best support we can receive.
Don’t miss out on your chance to see more stories like this unfold on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway during our upcoming Spring 2020 show. The Beauty Alliance and its many talented members are supported when you attend the show! Tickets are on sale now.
To follow along with Paty Figtree, click the links below.
Keep up with the Omaha creatives making waves in the community! Follow Omaha Fashion Week on Instagram for updates on The Front Row.
