This is my last letter to you in Omaha FASHION Magazine! I announced my retirement in early December and have been working closely with incoming Producer, Buf Reynolds, as she takes the reigns of OFW. I have to say, this has been an easy and joyful transition. I think that is due to Buf’s leadership and experience, along with the talented team working with her to bring this season to life. I am so unbelievably proud of them. I can’t wait to see the fruit of their efforts, along with the efforts of our designers, on the runway this season. It is exciting to think I will be experiencing this season just as our readers do…as a guest. I actually have time to plan what I’m going to wear this season – although, as of press time, I haven’t tackled that project yet.
Speaking of projects, I was thrilled to see so many friends and OFW fans step up to support our first ever designer grant program, called the Investor’s Circle; this was a passion project for me. As Producer, I didn’t have the bandwidth to help solve a problem that has been evident since I began this journey 13 years ago. The most cited need our designers have is a need for funding. For many, $500 covers a significant portion of the cost of materials for a collection of 1215 looks. We managed to blow past our goal of raising $5,000 by raising $7,000 and awarding 13 grants! Wow!
I have two insights to share from the completion of our first round of funding. The first is that our designers are not only extremely talented, but amazing humans with beautiful personal stories to share. There were many times I was moved to tears as I listened to their pitches. It reminded me of how special and important this community is not only to designers, but to me, personally. I fell more in love with this community through the experience.
The second insight is that our $500 grants did indeed move the needle for designers. It allowed them to level up their materials and the quality of their work. It was very apparent at Rack Check a few weeks ago that designers who received these grants were able to improve their final product, and that showed up in their scores from selection panelists. Six out of 13 grant recipients scored high enough to take the coveted opening and closing positions in their respective showcases.
Because of this success, we are going to do a second round of funding for the August 2024
season. I encourage you to consider investing any dollar amount that is comfortable for you. The good news is that everyone who invests, no matter how much, gets to listen to designer pitches and vote for who they think deserves a grant. We will open a second round of funding on April 1st, and close on April 20th. You can learn more on page 20 of this magazine.
See you in the audience!
I am so glad you are here! Welcome to my first season as Omaha Fashion Week’s Producer!
First things first, a big thank you to Brook and Nick Hudson. Thank you for your years of devotion to building Omaha Fashion Week. Thank you for trusting me with it. I am forever grateful.
For those of you who may not know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Buf Reynolds Sechser. I have been around OFW since the beginning and have participated as a designer, part of the team, a panelist, a mentor, and now I get to be the producer!
Before Omaha Fashion Week came to exist, I was producing shows with friends. We would put on shows anywhere we could get our hands on - a vacant department store with no running water and crumbling ceilings, Burlington Station before KETV moved in, a parade of models led through the Old Market by a drum line and designers holding flash lights, busses of models caravanning from bar to bar. I recall running into Nick Hudson at one of these before the show began and he commented, “You just seem so calm and relaxed.”
Many years (and levels of stress) have passed since then, and here we are. We continue to do what we can to grow and
foster the fashion community in Omaha. I love Omaha. Every city has its pros and cons, but to me, Omaha still feels like a place where you can build something big. We have been and will continue to work to grow our fashion community.
This season, we get to see a wild amount of emerging designers. We have high school students and UNL students showing together, letting high school students get a glimpse of what their path might look like. We had a record number of designer applicants for this season, a record number of models attend Model Call, and a record number of Beauty Alliance applicants. We have opportunities to help designers grow their entire business with the first season of grants given by the Investor’s Circle. People want to be part of this creative and supportive community.
In my first season as Producer, I can look around in awe at the foundation we have built. I was told long ago by someone from an older generation that “fashion will never happen in Omaha” after talking with her about trying to put together one of my first shows. I knew then, and I
can quite proudly say now, that she was so very wrong. We may start small, but our potential is beyond recognition. I hear over and over again from designers all over the country who come here to be part of Omaha Fashion Week that there is nothing like this anywhere else. There is no other community that creates a show like we do and supports its people like we do.
Omaha does things differently. We are a little bit weird, but I like weird. I embrace weird with open arms. We have nothing but room to grow in front of us. I can’t wait to see what we build.
Luf, BufThe Spring 2024 theme of AUDACIOUS is all about taking bold risks and being the most authentic version of you. Not only does audacious encapsulate the imagery, decor, and designs of this season’s showcases…but the spirit of Omaha Fashion Week as an organization.
Striving to fill a gap in the fashion market over 15 years ago, Buf Reynolds and many other local designers threw impromptu fashion shows, popped up at bars, and perfectly captured the essence of audacity with their unconventional methods of cultivating creativity in Omaha.
Since then, Omaha Fashion Week has grown into something so much larger than a bi-annual fashion week. The organization has created a community and a safe space for creatives to fully express themselves and take the boldest of risks. Designers put their heart and soul into the collections they present, models put their best foot forward to showcase this work, and the beauty team delivers bold and inspired looks that bring designer’s visions to life.
The talent backstage is not the only place Omaha Fashion Week inspires audacity. When the doors open on show week, the entire community is invited to embrace and express their true selves through fashion. Each season, with every new face, my love for Omaha’s community
grows and I am inspired by the ways that Omaha Fashion Week brings everyone together.
My journey with Omaha Fashion Week began in 2018 during my summer internship. Each week, I would make the trek from Lincoln to Omaha to work closely with a team that inspired me from the first day I met them. Their passion for creatives paired with their realness and warmth made it impossible to want to work anywhere else. Ever since, I have been on a journey with Omaha Fashion Week, being trained in nearly every position the team has to offer.
myself, being given complete responsibility and trust from such a young age, has caused me to embrace the word audacious. Audacity to be bold in my decisions, to trust my gut and the women supporting me, to express myself fully in work and life, and so much more.
I can truly say I have learned from the best; whether that be following Buf Reynolds around the Omaha Design Center asking her the “why” behind every move she made to sitting in Brook Hudson’s living room and picking her brain on entrepreneurship, personal life, and everything inbetween. Through many late nights at work or out to dinner with a large glass (or two) of wine, Brook and Buf have gone from inspiring mentors to close friends.
The growth that I have seen in
I hope that the collections on the runway this season inspire a boldness in you that carries into your life. Let’s all embrace the word AUDACIOUS, being unapologetically ourselves and unafraid to take risks.
Lots of love,
Bri Anderson Photo | FotoFun Spot Corset | NuevintageBROOK HUDSON, OWNER AND PUBLISHER
OMAHA FASHION WEEK
BROOK HUDSON, OWNER AND PUBLISHER
BUF REYNOLDS, PRODUCER
SAMI HARTONG, MARKETING DIRECTOR
ZEKE KLEINSCHMIT, BACKSTAGE COORDINATOR
EMERGING DESIGNER SELECTION PANEL
EDELWEISS ROTHE LUKASH
BRANDING AND MERCHANDISING CONSULTANT
ANTHONY DEON BROWN
FINE ARTIST AND DESIGNER AT ANTHONY DEON
BRETT FOSTER
OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF DESIGN AT FOSTER-LOTZER
JENNIE MASON
INTERIOR DESIGNER AT ALLEY POYNER MACCHIETTO ARCHITECTURE
EDITOR
ALYSSA DILTS, CASTING DIRECTOR
BRETT FOSTER, ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNER
HEATHER & JAMESON, RUNWAY PHOTOGRAPHY
DAN RICHTERS, VIDEO PRODUCTION
NATALIE WALLACE, SHOW DIRECTOR
TIM PFANNENSTIEL, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
DAN BRENNAN, LIGHTING DIRECTOR
JOE NICKOLITE, LED OPERATOR
GEORGE TURNER, LED OPERATOR ASSISTANT
KEITH RODGER, MUSIC DIRECTOR
SAVANNA MOORE, MUSIC ASSISTANT
JO MOORE, TALENT ASSISTANT
KRISTEN CLARK, BACKSTAGE ASSISTANT
ALIA JACKSON, EDITORIAL BEAUTY DIRECTOR
LANI MAPLES, TICKETING MANAGER
BETH REHER, EVENT CONSULTANT
GEORGIE MYERS, FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER
KYLIE LACOUR, VENUE OPERATIONS
FEATURED DESIGNER SELECTION PANEL
DAN RICHTERS
FINE ARTIST AND FASHION DESIGNER
KELLI MOLCYZK
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF WOMEN’S MERCHANDISING AT BUCKLE
KYLIN FLOTHE
TEXTILE AND DRESS HISTORIAN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN: TMFD DEPARTMENT
JENNY POOL
COSTUME AND FASHION DESIGNER, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR AT UNETECH INSTITUTE
MENTORS
Tammie Bingham
Yadira Cardenas
Suzan Carlson
Jessica Cunard
Krissy Doyen
Brynn Drickey
Aurora Dube
Kristi Fangman
Jhoseline Fuentes Rosales
Jennifer Henry
Caitlin Jans
Katie Jenkins
Nina Knapp
Lennie McGrath
Arielle Miller
Madison Omel
Jacqueline Pablo
Rose Petty
Virginia Smith
Ari Springer
Kaytlin Wax
Brittany White
STUDENTS
Ajok Akoi
Nat Beamis
Victoria Beaugard
Natalie Blaine
Kara Carey
Kassidy Chadwick
Mariah Cockcroft
Kaelyn Cotton
Franceska Devitt
Mariana Felix
Erika Franco
Emily Goff Kelsey
Kandie Hopp
Raynia Horton
Zoe Howell
Anab Ibrahim
Kayla Johnson
Jada Lerdall
Clemens Ling
Amber Lunsford
Zoe Mattox
Jenna Medeiros
Jaicy Omega
Rachel Renshaw
Audrey Rickerl
Miranda Samek
Madeline Savala
Roni Sims
Saree Verbeek
Abra Werner
Sway Wilson
Abby Wrightson
WWW.DEVELOP-MODELS.COM
SCOUTED MODEL CONTEST WINNER AUGUST 2023 | BROOKE HAYES
PHOTOGRAPHY | HEATHER & JAMESON
HAIR & MAKEUP | ALIA JACKSON
STYLIST | SYDNEY MOORE
As a community, we recognize the power of embracing our individuality and playing to our strengths. We are proud to be a vessel for so many creatives to authentically display their deepest inspirations and meaningful messages. Fashion is a vehicle for all of us to unapologetically showcase who we are and what we stand for. As we focus on fashion-for-good, we honor the AUDACITY it takes to use our voices to create meaningful change in our communities.
Photography: Heather & Jameson | Models: Develop Model Management | Hair & Makeup: Alia Jackson | Stylist: Aya Zacharias | Assistant Stylist: Sydney Moore | Wardrobe Manager: Sami Hartong | Model Names: Akwaj, Lexi, Shayan Dress: SKYE|AIRE
LEFT | Dresses: SKYE|AIRE
RIGHT | Vest: J.H. & Sons Clothier, Dress: Casandra Drouin, Accessories: SKYE|AIRE
LEFT | Suit: J.H. & Sons Clothier, Shawl: SKYE|AIRE, Dress: Carl's Bad Designs, Dress: SKYE|AIRE, Accessories: SKYE|AIRE
RIGHT | Top: J.H. & Sons Clothier, Harness: MalekR.
Omaha Fashion Week is passionate about supporting designers in the earliest stages of their development. In collaboration with Develop Model Management, we are launching the Investor's Circle, the newest designer equity program where YOU can support the prosperity of designers each season.
Our goal is to make supporting the economic sustainability of designers easy and accessible to the community. Any gift, big or small, can be transformational.
"I AM INSPIRED BY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FASHION AND THE WOMEN WHO SURROUND ME...THE WAY IT EMPOWERS THEM. THIS GRANT HELPS ME UPGRADE MY FABRICS.”
- SOMMER
Investing in designers provides them the resources and flexibility needed to level up their business, making the final result a higher-quality product that is more likely to sell.
To get involved, donate any amount to the funding pool, attend the big pitch, and vote for your favorite designers! Top designers will be selected to receive $500 from the fund. As an investor, you will preview and shop collections before they hit the runway.
This season, the first round of
“AFTER MY FATHER SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK THIS PAST SUMMER, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AND WANT TO DO A COLLECTION TO HONOR MY PARENTS.”
- ANA ORESCANIN
investors contributed to our funding pool. We were absolutely blown away by the generosity of our community, raising nearly $7,000 and handing out 13 grants to presenting designers.
To support designers presenting in Omaha Fashion Week's August 2024 season and gain early access to preview designer collections, join the Investor's Circle! The next round of funding will take place April 1st through April 30th, 2024.
“WE WANT TO MERGE FASHION AND TECHNOLOGY, AND THIS GRANT WOULD HELP GIVE US THE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO FULLY REALIZE THAT DREAM.”
- MAUVE DECADE
TOP | Photo: Mike Machian BOTTOM | Photos: Heather & JamesonOmaha Fashion Week is grateful to Astrid Buffett for generously donating a portion of her iconic looks from her life to our organization. These stunning items were donated in hopes of preserving their beauty and being used to educate our audience about fashion history throughout many seasons. Her garments range from the 1920s to the early 2000s and include both handmade and luxury designer labels.
You may have noticed over the last few seasons, that we've been showcasing a select few looks from our archives. This season, we decided to showcase an entire collection using these pieces in collaboration with Maddie Graham, better known as, The Frugal Fox.
Winner of the Emerging Designer Golden Shears Award from Fall 2023, Mauve Decade designers, Abby and Ally Hall, showcased a youthful collection inspired by the merging of technology and fashion. This twin sister duo blew away our judges and the audience last season with their inventive and playful interpretation of Y2K fashion and iconic pop culture references, featuring 3D printed shoes and accessories and custom printed designs.
Both Emerging and Featured Designers compete for their respective Golden Shears Awards. These winners are chosen by our Selection Panels, which are comprised of independent industry experts who spend months leading up to shows mentoring and coaching designers to present their best on the runway! Each season, over $7,500 in prizes and cash is awarded to designers. SHOP
ISLA O is an independent house of bold evening wear for women, which began in 2008 by Ghanian-native Kwame Opoku. With over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, Opoku’s designs are a practice in artistry, craftsmanship, and tradition with modern reflections.
Kwame Opoku’s work was recently featured in African Fashion Week Omaha in March 2023 and blew Omaha Fashion Week away so much that he was extended a headliner position in our Fall 2023 AURORA season. We are continually blown away by his work, so much so that we have invited him to headline yet another season of OFW.
HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTING PROGRAMS
• 4-H
• BLUEBIRD CULTURAL INITIATIVE
• DUCHESNE ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
• NEBRASKA FAMILY, CAREER & COMMUNITY LEADERS OF AMERICA (FCCLA)
• JOSLYN'S KENT BELLOWS MENTORING PROGRAM
• OMAHA SOUTH HIGH MAGNET SCHOOL
• WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
FOR THE OMAHA FASHION WEEK SPRING 2024 SEASON, WE ARE COMBINING OUR BELOVED STUDENT SHOWCASES TO PRESENT BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGIATE LEVEL DESIGN PROGRAMS. THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, YOU’LL SEE CREATIONS FROM THE YOUTH OF OMAHA REPRESENTING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF FASHION.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
TEXTILE, MERCHANDISING AND FASHION DESIGN PRESENTING STUDENTS
Alexa Perkey
Alyssa Neff
Amber Penton
Aylana Goodwin
Burke Splichal
Cutter Riceland
Delani Ingram
Delano Lockhart
Dorsa Farzi
Dylan J Bockman
Ellie Latcham
Emily Jordan
Faiza Kari
Haile Christofferson
Halah Alsufyani
Inas Hskan
Jaxon Gilner
Joelle Tangen
Kate Pedroza Valadez
Kelly Thompson
Kris Aisaierding
Mee-Mee Jackson
Mia Schwarz
Michaela Lentsch
Nora Chisamore
PawEh ThaYou
Ray Soper
Said Rodriguez Zarazua
Sarah Twitchell
Tina Shetabi
Venn Jemkur
1 YET LUXXE 2 I'M HOOKED ON STUFFIES 3 ARNATHECRAZE 4 GIRL ON MARS 5 HOUSE OF CHELETTE 6 GRETTER RM 7 STUDIO RAE 8 CASAREZ 9 LUCID LUXE 10 ELU BY ELON 11 BOLD COLLECTION COURTESY OF ASTRID BUFFETT
INVESTOR'S CIRCLE GRANT RECIPIENT
SILHOUETTES ARE MADE SLINKY AND SEE-THROUGH TO EXPOSE THE BEAUTY OF THE BODY, LEAVING LITTLE TO THE IMAGINATION.
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR STOMPING! THICK AND HEAVY-SOLED BOOTS REMAIN A WIDELY LOVED STYLE FOR THEIR AESTHETIC AND PRACTICALITY.
IN THE ERA OF BARBIE, COQUETTE-CORE, AND BOWS, THE COMMON THREAD IS A CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS FEMININE.
A SOFTER APPROACH TO COLOR ALLOWS FOR PLAYFUL COMBINATIONS AND SUBTLE HINTS OF SERENITY IN ANY OUTFIT.
