OFW announces fresh designer line up for S/S collection

“We were blown away by how well prepared all the designers were this year and the quality of the applications,” said OFW Producer, Brook Hudson. “The talent and creativity continues to get better each season.” The show schedule and location will be announced at the end of the month. Tickets go on sale to the public on June 1.

The applicant pool included 45 designers who were narrowed down to 30 for the upcoming season. Designers applied online with a limited number selected to pitch their ideas for their upcoming collection to a panel of industry experts brought together by the Fashion Institute Midwest. The experts scored each designer and provided feedback that OFW organizers used to make final selections.

The Fashion Institute Midwest provides designers with four months of mentoring and support leading up to their shows each season. The designers will also participate in a series of workshops and programs to help them prepare. Special feature designers will be announced throughout the summer. Below is a list of designer bios:

High Schoolers

Elda Doamekpo is a high school student with a brand called Élle Inspired.  Her evening wear collection is inspired by the movement of water.

Hannah Olson is a 17-year-old designer that 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.

Kate Walz designs vintage inspired gowns with feminine details and timeless silhouettes. Her spring 2014 collection is inspired by some of the great ballerinas in the 1960s and will feature structured bodices paired with flowering details.

Outside Nebraska

Michaela Cawley is a swimwear designer under the label KKINI. She aims to provide women with luxury swimwear including bikinis, deck suits, and cover-ups. Her line has been seen in several fashion shows and in Sports Illustrated.

Juantiesha Christian, designer of SuShe by Jtracey is a women’s wear label, featuring both eclectic and vintage-inspired day and evening wear. Juantiesha Christian is a Bellevue native residing in NYC. SuShe has designed for clients throughout the United States, Canada and England.

Brittany Davidson designer of BMDesigns finds inspiration from her European heritage and the time she spent time studying abroad. In 2009 she started designing women and men’s wear.

Hope Reiners designer of Culture Swimwear launched its first collection in the 2012 summer season. For a style which evokes the strong free spirit and beauty of all women, each piece makes a bold statement with colorful designs, solid cover-ups as well as tribal prints.