FROM A PRESS RELEASE SENT ON 4/10 Omaha Fashion Week (OFW) is excited to announce a special partnership with SAC Federal Credit Union to assist the local designer community. This new program addresses an existing problem: In eight years, the fashion community of 200+ designers ages 13 to 65 has come a long way, but still has a lot of work to do on commercializing their work and creating sustainable businesses.
Omaha Fashion Week has helped designers get started by providing critical exposure during biannual fashion shows. The majority of designers have gained sales over the years, with some bringing in up to $50,000 in revenue. OFW founder and producer, Nick Hudson, is excited about the future. “We have proven that there is a talented community here. The next big stage is to support growth of these small businesses and that takes some different resources, “he said. “That is why we were excited when SAC Federal Credit Union decided to increase their involvement.” SAC has been an OFW sponsor for three years and is expanding its involvement to nurture individual designers into sustainable businesses.
“Our goal is to help small business owners and entrepreneurs by partnering with them to meet their business’ financial needs,” SAC Federal Credit Union CEO, Gail DeBoer said. “SAC’s partnership with Omaha Fashion Week, and the designers and business owners, who support the event, is a way for us to extend our services to the design community. There is high potential to create jobs and expand businesses through Omaha Fashion Week and SAC is proud to be a part of the movement.”
The SAC partnership with OFW has a number of facets:
- An expanded package of prizes has been announced, giving more opportunities to the designers, hairstylists and models involved in OFW productions.
- A program of business and financial advice is being provided through the partnership that will support designers by helping them develop business plans, and enhance how they manage their business growth.
- Credit products are being tailored specifically for designers that will dovetail with the business and financial advising program. These products will help designers grow their businesses responsibly, by allowing them to buy supplies and equipment needed to expand their businesses.
Currently, SAC representatives are working with a pilot group of designers to further develop the advice and credit portion of the program. “The idea is to tailor the program to meet the unique needs of designers. It’s a concierge banking program for small, creative businesses,” added DeBoer. The hope is that the program will expand beyond designers to include all players on the local creative scene, including salons, photographers, independent hair stylists, and makeup artist and clothing boutiques.
“It’s still in the early days, but it is exciting that our local fashion community could develop into a local fashion industry. We have so many talented young people in our community and SAC’s support is going to help them explore their full potential. We can’t think of a better partner to help us continue pushing this community forward,” added Hudson.
OFW is currently preparing to interview designer candidates for the August 2015 season. The designer lineup will be announced at the end of April and tickets for next season go on sale June 1.
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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 the Midwest’s premier fashion event; spotlighting fashion innovations and celebrating creative excellence. Learn more at www.omahafashionweek.com.
About SAC Federal Credit Union SAC Federal Credit Union is locally owned by its members and recognized for its community involvement. Motivated by member service rather than profit, the credit union’s focus is on providing safety, soundness and convenience to its membership. SAC FCU is a financial partner for life, helping members with banking, financial planning, home buying, investing, education and retirement planning, commercial banking services and more. Begin the journey to better banking today: www.sacfcu.com
Crystal Hobson had always had the support of her parents when it came to doing what she loved. Going in to college she began with a Costume Design major. She then found the Textile Design program and fell in love. She graduated from University of Nebraska Lincoln and continues to do what she loves. Crystal showed in the August show and is excited to show here at the March show. Crystal designed pieces for this line that are simple but bring the WOW factor! Look for her designs on Friday night.
In August, Elda Doamekpo presented a collection that was inspired by her heritage and family. This season Elda will be presenting a line thats inspiration comes from over 100 years ago. She is very excited to present her collection based off the 1920's novel, The Great Gatsby. Elda brings the past and the present together to create beautiful designs. At the age of 17, Elda works to be an example for young designers as she presents her collection at Omaha Fashion Week.
Katie Thompson is anything but a new comer when it come to Omaha Fashion Week. The Iowa State student is constantly presenting fun, elegant, ready to wear collections. Katie works to create business causal clothes that are anything but stuffy. Pieces from Kaite's line are great first impressions and are full of creativity. See what she comes up with next when her models walk the runway.
For Andrea Hurtt, designing started out of necessity but quickly turned to a passion. When Andrea's Daughter was born in June of 1999 she was too tiny for her baby clothes. Andrea then took to the sewing machine to make clothes out of pillow cases for her. For the past three years now Andrea been designing clothes influenced by the late 40's-60's. Andrea also owns her own boutique in the Mid-Town Crossing area called Atomic Bombshells.
Jessica Collins began making clothes for a similar reason as Andrea Hurtt. Jessica needed headpieces that could fit her little girl's head. Jessica began sewing clothes later and had many orders from others moms. When her and her family moved to Nebraska she got back into designing. She began to create her own patterns and was introduced to runway children's wear. Jessica has now shown multiple times with Omaha Fashion Week and always has something new and exciting.
Sydney Moore began sewing at the young age of eight with her grandmother Kathy. The 12 year old had always received a lot of support from her family and friends, when it came to sewing and designing. Last summer Sydney joined us for 
As a child Grace Neary drew designs much like she does today but at the time she believed if she took them to the department store they could magically make them for her. Eventually she learned to sew her designs her self with the help of grandmother and her trusty Vogue Sewing Book. The high schooler is inspired by much of the designs from the the 60's and the time of change. As Grace was designing this line she was going through a time of change of her own. The loss of her grandfather played a major role in her designs and can not wait to honor him with her line on Student Night.
