Omaha Fashion Week is celebrating its ten year anniversary in 2017! Over the years, it has become the fifth largest fashion event in the country. But even more than that, it has served as an outlet for the community to come together, learn, and celebrate some of the city’s youngest and best talent.
Though it is a glamorous red carpet event, Omaha Fashion Week also nurtures the youngest of fashion designers by providing mentoring opportunities and a professional platform to showcase their work. The event connects these budding designers with national artists, photographers and models recognized across the globe. It functions both as entertainment and as a network and community for the creators to come together and learn.
First, check out our list of the most anticipated OFW events, then read through the bios of some Omaha locals featured at the Designer Showcases Thursday, Friday and Saturday!
OFW Events
Kids Rule Fashion Show
Photos courtesy of Omaha Fashion Week
Four Shows
Friday, February 17, 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 18, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. + 6 p.m.
Price: $25 – $80
Perhaps the most anticipated event for community members, the Kids Rule Fashion Show features local elementary and middle school kids wearing outfits they choose from the Omaha Design Center wardrobe. Before the show, kids participate in a confidence-building and modeling workshop! Strictly for ages 5 – 12, this event is fun to watch and an important opportunity for area children. Proceeds benefit Junior League of Omaha so buy your ticket today!
Student Night
Photo courtesy of Omaha Fashion Week
One Show
Tuesday, February 21, 6 – 10 p.m.
Price: $10
Student Night is a fashion show of collections from top 4-H students, Omaha’s Central High School, Omaha South High School, the Joslyn Art Museum Kent Bellows Mentoring Program, and Nebraska FCCLA. These young, up-and-coming artists will show off their most recent works then participate in a Q & A Panel Discussion on Careers in Fashion.
The doors will open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, but the show doesn’t start until 8 p.m. Get there early so you can enjoy the Borsheims Red Carpet Experience and the Pretty in Patina Pre-Party with live entertainment!
Methodist Survivor Show
Photos courtesy of Omaha Fashion Week
One Show
Wednesday, February 22, 6 – 10 p.m.
Price: $40 – $65
Wearing looks from local boutiques, 80 cancer survivors will parade down the runway for the Methodist Survivor Show. Presented by Nebraska Methodist Hospital, part of the proceeds will benefit the Inner Beauty Salon at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center.
Come early to enjoy the Borsheims Red Carpet Experience and shop the Pop-Up Market at the Pretty in Patina Pre-Party. If you buy a VIP ticket, you’ll enjoy catering, complimentary drinks in the VIP Lounge and valet parking!
Shop the Runway Sunday
One Event
Sunday, February 26, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price: Free
Once all the Designer Showcases are finished on Sunday, you get to shop the looks! While you eat a breakfast of Pettit’s Pastry donuts and sip a coffee, Mimosa or Bloody Mary, you can meet the designers and shop their fashions. Get there early to make sure you snag your favorite!
Must-See Local Designers
Andrew Hale Designs
Photos courtesy of Andrew Hale Designs, Macy Cool and Shannon Cameron
See Andrew’s designs at Designer Showcase I
Most recently, Andrew Hale won in the Fashion Construction category of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America STAR Competition with perfect scores at the district and national levels. Through the state and national competitions, he won a $3,000 scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, a $12,000 scholarship to The Art Institutes, and a one-year, full scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising totaling $30,000. Did we mention he’s a high school student at Kearney High?!
His avant-garde collection at Designer Showcase I will tell the story of “Bip the Clown”, an iconic character portrayed by mime, Marcel Marceau.
Aaron Sobetski
Photos courtesy of Aaron Sobetski
See Aaron’s designs at Designer Showcase II
Another Omaha high school student, Aaron Sobetski’s style is classic and gives new life to fashions from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. He entered the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program in 2014 and has been designing ever since, making his first Omaha Fashion Week appearance with one gown at 2015’s Student Night.
His Designer Showcase II exhibition will feature dramatic and unique pieces. His elaborate construction detail under a collection of black and white evening gowns, sheer fabrics and reflective vinyl will create an X-ray effect!
Nuevintage
Photo courtesy of Omaha Fashion Week and Kathy Rae Photography
See Terri’s designs at Designer Showcase II
Nuevintage is owned and operated out of Papillon by Terri Buckner. Her work embraces the Nebraska plains as a combination of vintage and indie fashions that create a prairie boho spirit. Using almost entirely reclaimed and recycled products and materials Terri and Nuevintage offer a greener option in fashion.
At Designer Showcase II, her collection will show off the transformation of upcycled and repurposed vintage materials into one-of-a-kind pieces.
Miranda Hanson
Photo courtesy of Miranda Hanson and Morgan Jade Photography
See Miranda’s designs at Designer Showcase II
Miranda Hanson is an Omaha local. She started to sew at age 8, designed her own clothing at 12, and then operated a small business at a local grocery store selling tutus and dresses for young girls. At just 16 years of age, she has now won multiple contests, makes dresses for her friends at homecoming, and showed her own collection at Omaha Fashion Week in August.
Her second OFW show at this year’s Designer Showcase II will show off her monochromatic, ready-to-wear line inspired by 80’s silhouettes and fashion trends. Expect to see black, white and a little bit of cobalt blue thrown in!
Mitchell
Photo courtesy of Mitchell and Heather and Jameson Hooton
See Mitchell’s designs at Designer Showcase III
Fashion has been a central part of Mitchell Henderson’s life since he was a child. Today, as a 17-year-old attending Creighton Preparatory School, he creates futuristic fashions that push the limits of design. In the future, Mitchell hopes to study fashion and eventually open his own line in London.
His collection for Designer Showcase III is inspired by America’s failing infrastructure. You’ll see layered garments with multiple deconstructed elements.
Makaylee Gayed
Photos courtesy of Makaylee Gayed and Kris Martinson Photography
See Makaylee’s designs at Designer Showcase III
Makaylee Gayed is a senior at UNL in the Textile, Merchandising and Fashion Design department. Her fashion is made for both the every day and the runway. Look for her name after her Spring 2017 graduation when she hopes to open her own line in Lincoln.
At Designer Showcase III, her collection will feature quilt block detailing to create unique patterns throughout the collection.
Jane Round
Photo courtesy of Jane Round and Morgan Jade Photography
See Jane’s designs at Designer Showcase III
Jane Round is an Omaha native turned New Yorker. After designing independently for years, she moved to the big city to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Today, she works full time in the industry. Her designs feature hand dyed, natural textiles and exquisite detailing to create everything from basics to special occasion wear.
Her Designer Showcase III exhibition is inspired by the works of John Singer Sargent and the decorative arts of the early 1900s. In addition to her original hand dying techniques, she has created several custom prints for the collection!
Enjoy Omaha Fashion Week
Share your favorite OFW artists with us and let us know which events you enjoyed the most!