Omaha Fashion Week Announces Designers Showcasing Spring/Summer 2015 Collections; Show Runs 8/18-23

Omaha, Neb. -- Omaha Fashion Week is excited to announced the designers selected to show Spring/Summer 2015 collections in the upcoming week long runway showcase, August 18th - 23th. Out of 44 local and national applicants, 32 designers were chosen to present runway collections as well as two designers on the OFW platforms showcasing capsule collections. This upcoming August lineup includes 15 new designer faces and collections on the OFW runway, 11 out-of-state designers and 6 high school students.

"It is wonderful to see 15 new designers involved in Omaha Fashion Week. As OFW expands we are engaging new young, student talent as well as introducing out-of-town designer markets to Omaha's collaborative community and fashion-industry eco-system," 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."

Designer Interview Highlights:

· Denise Ervin is a veteran clothing and costume designer, with 30 years of experience in Omaha and Los Angeles. Denis was the head costume designer for 20 years at The Omaha Playhouse and a senior designer for 8 years at Adidas.

· Hannah Olsen of Hannah Caroline Couture, a plus size fashion label, plans to show a collection of plus size knitwear. Hannah recently won the Maverick Business Plan Competition through UNO for her Hannah Caroline Couture business plan. She was the first freshman and first female to win.

· Dan Richters is a local Omaha artist and designer, showing his work in OFW as well as LA Fashion Week. Dan produces and creates his own materials using new fabrication techniques, which he plans to use to create a balance of couture and ready to wear.

Designers complete an online application process and then pitched their ideas to a panel of industry experts brought together by the Fashion Institute Midwest. Designer interviews were conducted last week. Experts score each designer and provided feedback, which OFW uses to make final selections.

OFW's August venue will be a large, white tent in the Capital District located in downtown Omaha. A complete schedule of events for August 18th - 23rd will be announced in late May. Tickets on sale June 1st.
Below is a list of designer bios:

Young Blood

Elda Doamekpo is a high school student with a brand called Élle Inspired. Elda is stepping outside her normal eveningwear flair and experimenting with her native African culture style elements for her August collection.

Kate Walz is an eight time OFW veteran at only 17 years old. Jessica Latham, who helped Kate when she first started designing, inspired her upcoming collection. Kate hopes to go to Parson's in Manhattan after graduating from high school.

Hannah Olsen of Hannah Caroline Couture, a plus size fashion label, plans to show a collection of plus size knitwear. Hannah recently won the Maverick Business Plan Competition through UNO for her Hannah Caroline Couture business plan. She was the first freshman and first female to win!

Quinton Lovelace is a local high school student designer and OFW newbie. Quinton will produce an eveningwear collection of 10 looks for his first time on the runway.

Lauren Birkentall, 18, is a second time OFW designer. She is creating a daywear collection inspired by New York City street fashion.

Platform Designers: Juan and Bre Mora-amaral are two students from the Kent Bellows Mentoring Fashion Program who will be showing on OFW platforms for the first time. They are designing a men and women's urban, contemporary collection.

Platform Designer: Alesha Johnson is a high school junior and is an OFW newbie. Alesha's collection consists of short, flirty silhouettes full of beading and chiffon, reminiscent of the twenties.

Veterans

Susan Ludlow is an exceptional crochet fashion designer specializing in children's wear. Her 2014 collection is called Midnight Garden using specialty threads and handmade buttons to create a magical garden with flowers and fairies.

Dan Richters is a local Omaha artist and designer, showing his work in OFW as well as LA Fashion Week. Dan produces and creates his own materials using new fabrication techniques, which he plans to use to create a balance of couture and ready to wear.

Kristen VanHessche is a visual storytelling fashion and costuming designer. She will be creating an Avant Garde collection based on the Kimono and Japanese culture, including stories and myths.

Jennifer Pool, a local freelance fashion and costume designer, plans to create an experimental and theatrical Avant Garde show with spoken text and creative movement.

Bertiher de la Cruz is a local Omaha designer and owner of Spoiled Little Mama, a trademarked diaper bag producer. Bertiher plans to create a collection of evening wear inspired by the Spanish tradition, Paso Doble.

Angela Balderston creates Avant Garde pieces made from plaster and non-traditional materials under the label Get Plastered! Angela's collection this season is inspired by The Lost Tribe of the Amazon.

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.

Aubrey Sookram studied Fashion design and Marketing at the UNL. She designs children's clothing and accessories under the name MarkoosModernDesign. She will be producing a mini collection of flower girl dresses this upcoming season.

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

Jessica Collins is a children's wear designer under the brand Jessica Lynn. This upcoming collection includes rock and roll style and 50's inspiration.

Bryan Frost and Erica Cardenas, designers behind Wallflower, will present a collection called Sister Mod full of ready-to-wear looks inspired by Omaha's historical St. Cecilia Cathedral, where tradition meets modernism.

Margie Trembley, is an Omaha Couture Milliner with a studio at Springfield Artworks, a gallery/boutique in Springfield, NE, which she co-owns with her husband. Margie plans to showcase a Derby theme collection.

Claire Landolt is a local designer and artist. She is creating an Avant Garde collection based on the majestic quality of dualism between the beauty and grotesque characteristics of the vulture.

Out-Of-State Designers

Katie Thomspon, a senior at Iowa State University, designs business-casual, chic pieces for everyday women. Her SS2015 collection is a feminine take on the 1980's powersuit including a mixture of separates, shorts, skirts, pants and blazers.

Maximillian Suiter has been a designer for OFW for three years. Suiter is presently enrolled at the Olin Business College and Sam Fox School of Art, Architecture, and Design at Washington University in St. Louis. He is creating a women's collection focused on beautiful lines, and a dramatic elegance.

Jane Round Omaha native and OFW veteran, Jane now lives in New York currently studying fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is creating a 9-look high end women's sportswear collection. It will contain pants/shorts, skirts, blouses, dresses, and spring jackets.

Juantiesha Christian designer of SuShe by Jtracey is a women's wear label, featuring both eclectic and vintage-inspired day and eveningwear. As a Bellevue native residing in NYC, she aspires to dress the 'woman on the go' and your daily trendsetter.

Vasela Zarankova is a Bulgaria native with passion and aspiration, driving her to evolve in fashion design. Vasela plans to create a line focused on techniques such as draping, fabric printing and weaving.

Alex Holliman, Omaha native living in Georgia, is founder and CEO of FarrierBell Fashions founded the company in May 2004 by designing for Private clientele. Alex plans to deign high fashion evening gowns and cocktail dress.

Bridget Mahony of Bridget Julia is a Kansas City designer and OFW newbie! Bridget's collection, women's eveningwear called Modern Romance, consists of silks, 3-D floral details, delicate lace, feathers, vibrant colors and alluring layers.

Whitney Rorah, recent Iowa State University graduate and OFW newbie, Whitney will be creating an 8 piece bridal collection focusing on fit, quality and construction catering to a wide range of body types.

Michelle Dunn is a designer from Aspen, Co and currently is a Fit and Tech designer for a ski wear company. Her August collection is ready to wear inspired by the coral reef.

Michelle Kleineweber is a Nebraska native now living in Kansas City as a local women's wear designer and OFW newbie. She plans to create a 12-look Avant Garde collection inspired by traditional anniversary gifts.

Jessica Lynn is a bridal designer and Wedding boutique owner from Brookings South Dakota and OFW newbie. She is designing a 10 piece bridal collection inspired by retro classics and vintage pieces with a modern, funky vibe.

OFW Newbies

Denise Ervin is a veteran clothing and costume designer, with 30 years of experience in Omaha and Los Angeles. Denis was the head costume designer for 20 years at The Omaha Playhouse and a senior designer for 8 years at Adidas. She will be producing a line of sportswear inspired by western details and contemporary design consisting of key denim pieces and enhanced appliqué and beading.

Samone Davis and Britney Rose design under label Legalized Rebellion, a nonconformist, edgy line. They plan to create a collection called Royal Blood inspired by Egyptians and African military style.

Tamara Newson is local Omaha designer and OFW newbie. Tamara is creating a line under Iconic by Tamu that consists of Swahili language and southeast Africa with cotton blends and bold colors.

Adrienne Anderson specializes in textile creation and manipulation with a hint of dramatic flair. Her eveningwear collection will consist of a wide mix of fabrics and textures inspired by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi and the 1920's culture.

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.