The latest blog posts on the Midwest's Premier Fashion Event.
Inspired by the female spies and heroines of James Bond films and novels by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Madyssen sought out to illustrate a love letter from a heartbroken woman. “I took those aesthetics [from James Bond and F. Scott Fitzgerald] and I’m using them to portray a very dark love story on stage and I’m embroidering that love story throughout the collection,” she tells us. The use of fabrics like wool, chiffon and velvet helped her tell the story and maintain a dark femininity, she says.
Hannah Swanson joins Omaha Fashion Week for the first time with her eveningwear collection. The recent Iowa State University graduate has produced a collection of eight gowns in jewel-toned hues and silver. The collection features beaded lace as well as lightweight fabrics that mimic the flowy movement of water.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior says she wanted to create a collection that was inspired by how she first learned to sew from her grandmother when she was 8-years-old. “I wanted to incorporate her throughout [the collection] because she taught me be strong; and so I design for the stronger woman.”
Sydney Moore, only 17, will be showing this year for the fourth time at Omaha Fashion Week.
The young designer has constructed a collection inspired by 90s grunge fashion mixed with the high school environment she sees every day. “It’s really comfortable and casual,” she says. “It’s things that my friends and I like to wear or wish we could wear more. It’s also pushing the limits and boundaries.”
Judy says her collection is inspired water in all of its manifestations like natural waterfalls or thunderstorms and also water in architectural settings where it has been manipulated by man. “As I was experimenting with the materials, they started suggesting water to me, and that’s how the theme came about,” she says.
Elayne's collection focuses on both the LGBT and the differently abled community with clothing made specifically for people with sensory disorders, chronic illness and mental disabilities, in addition to pride and plus-sized wear. Her show this spring will include gender neutral and gender fluid pieces that put an emphasis on accessibility and comfort.
Newcomer to design Margaret Larson joins Omaha Fashion Week for the first time with her label Argeaux.
Margaret's collection, initially inspired by color, transformed into the idea of intertwined colors and eventually led to the idea of the rainbow. The collection, Margaret says, has a deeper meaning of insecurity and overcoming it.
Aaron Sobetski has been designing for two years and has shown at Omaha Fashion week in various student nights and a full collection in the fall of 2016. The 17-year-old designer based his current collection on a modern mix of 1920s to 1940s haute couture and evening wear. Aaron says he was inspired by the late designers Christian Dior and Charles James.
Inspired by the edgy styles of 80s fashion, Miranda says her goal was to create a modern monochromatic daywear collection inspired by the 80s minus the typical neon and loud colors. The collection features a black and white color palette with denim and hints of cobalt blue and embroidery detail throughout.
Terri Buckner joins Omaha Fashion Week once again to showcase her upcycled and repurposed fashion under the label Nuevintage. “Everything is one of a kind, it cannot be duplicated because the materials are being recycled and updated,” Terri says. “All the materials have their own life.”
Despite plunging temps and drizzle, Designer Showcase I was another sold out show at OFW! Audience members were treated to a performance by 13 cast members from the Omaha Community Playhouse production of Rock of Ages, along with a few sets by Shauna B. and the Selficons, during the Pretty in Patina Pre-Party. Six designers competed for $500 cash prize from SAC Federal Credit Union...read on to learn more!
Over 700 fashion fans turned up at the Omaha Design Center yesterday evening to support local cancer survivors. Every model on the runway was a cancer survivor! Several models traveled from other cities to participate with 140 of their peers ranging in age from three to 88! Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Inner Beauty Salon at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center. Inner Beauty helps those undergoing treatment for various cancers and medical conditions in dealing with cosmetic issues related to their disease.
Over 50 looks by high school student designers were shown on the runway tonight as OFW kicked off it's spring 2017 season at the Omaha Design Center. Over 400 students, parents and teachers were in the audience to watch the runway show and panel discussion that followed. Free student tickets were underwritten by Metro Community College, which now offers an associate's degree in fashion design.
Join Omaha Fashion Week and Develop Model Management for Omaha Fashion Camp June 5-9th! Your child will discover all aspects of the fashion industry: from sketching, photography and modeling, to creating their very own garment or accessory. Camp will culminate in a runway show for parents at the end of the week!
Costume designer Andrew Hale is bringing his blend of narrative, theatre and fashion to Omaha Fashion Week for the first time. The 17-year-old Kearney High school student says the aim of his collection is “to suspend the moments that come between simple emotions.” See Andrew Hale Designs on the runway Feb 23rd!
The 23-year-old Iowa State University Apparel Merchandising and Design graduate tells us her collection is “sophisticated and feminine but sassy.” She utilized current trends in silhouette and color to create a collection of eveningwear that focuses on accentuating the female form while also achieving comfortability.Elizabeth has incorporated the use of hand dyed fabrics, including silk, to execute her vison for a “strong and independent” woman who likes to show off her personality through her wardrobe.
Modden Studios by Sarah Mader is celebrating her debut collection for the Omaha Fashion Week runway this season on Thursday Feb 23rd. Sarah describes her current collection as a high-end resort wear collection that embodies romanticism, feminine appeal and a feeling of freeness. She was influenced by her visits last year to Morocco and Spain. "I was really inspired by all of the colors and patterns," she said.
We are thrilled to announce the teams that will competing during the Develop Model Management Beauty Show on Sunday Feb 26th: Heathers, MalNiMar, The Mane Attraction, Unicorn Squad and Victor Victoria. On Friday Feb 24th, the teams will draw their theme live from the runway during our Designer Showcase. With no prior knowledge of themes or models, they will have 48 hours to plan full head to toe looks which will rock the runway Sunday night.
Christopher Di Giorgio is an OFW Veteran who began showing at Student Night and has since brought several full collections to the runway. As a contemporary designer primarily focusing on menswear, this collection revisits concepts from his previous works. The phrase “practice makes perfect” is truly brought to life in this collection.
We are thrilled to announce this all-star line up of local Omaha personalities who will keep us entertained and informed during the Kids Rule Fashion Shows taking place February 17 & 18th!
