Crescendeaux Designer Portfolio

A FA S H I O N F U S I O N E X P E R I E N C E featuring

Designers of Color In The South

DE SIGNERS & BOUTIQUE B RO C H U R E

WOMEN’ S FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTH

Korto Momolu Inspired by her African roots, Liberian born fashion designer and stylist Korto Momolu (pronounced CUTTOE MOE-MOE-LOO) is stamping her global brand in fashion. With a women’s wear and accessory line that celebrate the essence of her rich heritage through the use of traditional, luxury fabrics.

A graduate of L’academies des Couturiers Design Institute in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada [Korto relocated to Canada in 1990 following the coup in her homeland Liberia]. Advancing her field experience, she auditioned for and earned a spot on the 5th season of Bravo’s Emmy Nominated show Project Runway.

Throughout the season, korto’s primary signature use of color and diversity in print, style and presentation made her one to watch. Her feisty spirit resonated well with the audience earning her the coveted “Fan Favorite” vote and ultimately a placement of 1st runner up.

Career highlights include headlining countless fashion shows worldwide in places like Jamaica, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Honduras, Canada and Liberia. Korto was commissioned by Alice Walton to design uniforms for The Crystal Bridges Museum staff based on her ability to design for people of all shapes and sizes. She served as the “Cheerios ambassador” for the Shoprite Partners in Caring “Knock out Hunger” campaign and continues to contribute her time and talents to countless charitable and philanthropic endeavors.

Highlighted as Top 5 to watch by New York magazine, Korto has been featured in countless international and national publications including Elle, Us weekly, Marie Claire, Arise, and Essence. Television appearances include Project Runway All Stars 3, Arise TV, Bet’s Rip the Runway, Bet’s Lens on Talent, All on the Line and countess more Korto Currently resides in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband and 2 kids.

@kortomomolu

@kortomomolu

https://kortomomolu.com

Kristine Pichon Kristine Pichon of K'Pich Designs is a local fashion designer and entrepreneur born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Kristine stems from a long line of creative family membe.rs with deep roots in fashion, culture, and tradition. She was exposed to the arts as a child being given her first sewing machine at age 5.

She was greatly influenced by her grandmother and great grandmother who were heavily into designing, sewing, and creating beautiful custom garments, wedding dresses, and even Professional costumes for Universal Studios.

Over the years of watching her family bring simple materials to beautiful fruition, Kristine honed her artistic skills and abilities though she had not thought of pursuing them professionally yet. It was not until upon entering Xavier University to study Fine Arts that; professor introduced her to hands on Fashion Design Institute, Parsons School of Design in Kew York City. It was at this moment that she decided she would, pursue a career in the fashion industry because of her love and passion for the craft. In 1998 she moved to New York to study fashion, and two years later went on to receive her Masters in the field. After Graduation at Parsons in 2003, she moved back to Kew Orleans and began developing the idea for her own line of custom fashion apparel, K'Pich Designs. Combined with her exposure to the sometimes "crazy" world of fashion and her own cultural influences, Kristine returned home with a renewed sense of creativity and a broadened eye for design.

Kristine has big dreams for K'Pich, Offering couture pieces of clothing as well as accessories. Kristine is bringing something new to the city to inspire and promote the arts among the youth. She has been working exclusively with local shops while building a formidable reputation of being a "must see" designer. Art is her passion and when she emerges with new works, her love for fashion can be seen shining through. She brings not only quality to the table, but also a profound sense of pride in knowing that she poured her all into every masterpiece that she contracted to design.

Kristine Won for Top Designer and Peoples Choice Award for Kew Orleans Fashion Week 2015 Collection "Chic Fall Sunset." This has Kristine booming with exposure from articles featured in Face Magazine, Art+ Design, and a fashion spread in MOI Magazine.

Kristine in 2015 received the Millennial Award for "Salute to Service" for Fashion, also honored with the 40 under 40 award from Xavier University for fashion, and received the Emerging Designer Award for Arbiters of Style for Kew Orleans. Path to Excellence Magazine featured an article written by Kristine on the new Spring Trends for 2016.

Kristine showed her Fall Collection "Love" at the Kew Orleans fashion week in 2016. In October 2017 she was selected to show her Spring Collection for the Emerging Designers Competition for South Walton Fashion Week and featured in Nola Fashion Week 11arch 2017.

"I describe my clothing as the NEW ERA OF CLASS, leaving my Client feeling beautiful ant unique!" @krispichdesign

@krispich

Sophia Aomo Omoro (MD, PhD) Dr. Sophia Omoro is a practicing Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck surgeon, a philanthropist, founder of the Blooming Lily foundation and the owner and designer of odAOMO, a Kenyabased fashion label. She was born and brought up in Kenya as one of eight siblings in a relatively under-privileged environment. Her father strictly pushed education as the only way out of poverty. Dr. Omoro was able to perform and thus acquire a scholarship to springboard her journey out of Kenya and into North America. Here she completed her International Baccalaureate, College, Medical school, Graduate school, and ultimately training as an otolaryngology surgeon. Dr. Omoro says she always knew from a young age that she had a special calling in life, and this purpose was to be a three-pronged. Her experiences, hardships and focused determination prepared her for what she now does. She continues to practice as a full-time surgeon.

In 2014 she set up the Blooming Lily Foundation to empower girls to fulfill their destiny and give back to their communities.

The foundation hosts a few activities locally and sponsors an annual retreat in Kenya during which 25 underprivileged girls are mentored in this mission.

Her fashion label odAOMO was also established in 2014. This is a give back project to her country; realizing the amazing amount of talent for workmanship in her country, coupled with a dire need for employment, topped with her passion for fashion, she established the fashion brand. A truly unique brand, odAOMO offers a curated collection of apparel, accessories, and jewelry with a timeless and cross-cultural aesthetic. Each piece is handcrafted from eco-friendly materials in Kenya and produced in limited batches, creating an exclusive and organically nuanced line.

Where some philanthropic entities choose to focus on charity, odAOMO and Dr. Omoro empower through opportunity. odAOMO employs a small team in Kenya with fair wages that have a profound economic impact on their respective villages. "I would like to bring to light this wealth in material and human resources and show the world that wonderful things can come out of this continent and country. Wonderful, beautiful things, made with love, and by human hands.”

Her original flagship showroom is in the French quarter, New Orleans. The second location opened in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2017.

Dr. Omoro's message is simple: “Live now and Live widely”. She believes that although we have no control of the length of our time on earth, we can control the breadth of our experience. “Living now and widely” is an obligation first to oneself to reach the destiny successfully, then secondly to touch and positively influence another person. We all should strive to live purposefully.

@odaomo

@odaomo

https://odaomo.com

Yolanda White Yolanda White, CEO of Dayo, is an executive leader with over 20 years of experience managing billiondollar brands in the cosmetic, automotive, food, and beverage industries. Now she is an entrepreneur revolutionizing women’s fashion with the loungewear brand she created, DAYO. Yolanda transitioned out of Corporate America, late 2018 to launch Dayo Women. As the founder of a start-up, Yolanda is leveraging her extensive professional experience to reimagine a stagnant category by delivering a differentiated brand proposition for the modern woman.

Yolanda’s commitment, leadership, and vision have allowed Dayo to make significant strides in less than three years. She has driven year over year revenue growth; launched several new collections; developed a self-love diary; created proprietary self-love experiences; secured a celebrity icon as the face of the Dayo brand; established partnerships with three global brands; and built international manufacturing capabilities. She is an innovative, resilient and inspirational force for all things related to building and growing a business, even during challenging times.

Yolanda gained recognition for her achievements and accomplishments from Black Enterprise, where she was named one of the top fifty African American women in Advertising and Marketing. In addition, many fashion and lifestyle publications, including Essence, People, and more have featured DAYO for its style, commitment to self-love, and the face of the brand, Chilli, a member of TLC. Yolanda was also featured in the BET documentary “About Her Business,” and is a podcast host for Inc. Magazine. Yolanda is a mother of two sons and continues to be active in the community, serving on boards and speaking to national profit and non-profit organizations.

@dayowomen

@dayowomen

https://dayowomen.com

Celeste Madhere Creative Director, Celeste Johnny-Madhere, is no novice when it comes to the art of fashion.

From assisting her mom cutting out McCall’s patterns to designing original evening wear for prom, she got an early start that led her straight to the fashion industry’s capital, New York City.

Celeste then went on to pursue a career designing swimwear that would soon make waves among A-list trendsetters including Rihanna, Taraji P. Henson, Lala Anthony and Adrienne Bailon. Her collections have been featured in Elle UK, Essence and Shape Magazine, while boasting media coverage across esteemed platforms like Access Hollywood, ABC Chicago, BET Rip the Runway and movie productions.

Now she is devoting her talents to her new love, OLIVIA LONDON. OLIVIA LONDON is an “aspirational” swimwear brand for the woman who desires to own the moment with luxury, sensuality and exclusivity. In a world full of rooftop pool parties, having signature swimwear is vital. This brand offers a unique alternative to the everyday swimwear currently found in the marketplace.

With her first OLIVIA LONDON collection, Shades of Brazil, Celeste takes us on a coastal journey showcasing the vibrant spirit and diverse culture of Brazil.

This collection is by far is her best work and truly inspires you to Live, Love, Swim.

@olivialondonswim

@olivialondonswim

https://olivialondonswimwear.com

Frenshel Cooper Frenchkissed by Frenchy is my way of showing the world my talent through beauty. I have been doing hair for over 25 years, since I was a kid. Frenshel Cooper is my name that birthed Frenchy! Over the years of being in the beauty industry, the name fit perfect for me & became a household name in my community. My passion for hair showed through my clients' hairstyles. Then I went into marking custom wig units as well. Word of mouth built my business. I stayed consistent and watched my manifestations flourish.

Infinite Beauty is my salon located in Atlanta. We offer all beauty services and more! I'm blessed to do what I do and provide the world with infinite possibilities in beauty.

@frenshel.cooper.12

@_Frenchydollface

https://frenchkissedbyfrenchy.co

Mariah Walton Bencik - West London Boutique With 20-plus years of experience in the retail industry, including positions with Gucci, Chanel, and Burberry, Mariah Walton is more than qualified to write a book on how to build client relationships. And in fact, the owner of New Orleans, Louisiana-based West London Boutique is doing just that, in addition to running her Magazine Street shop and raising her daughter, Londyn. Here, Walton takes us through a typical day in her life, from taking time to feel gratitude to brainstorming local partnerships to merchandising her 500-square-foot retail space.

@WestLondonBtq

@westlondonbtq

https://www.westlondonboutique.com

Khia Nichelle - Beaux Curvian Gurlz My name is Khia Nichelle. l am the creator of Beaux Curvian Gurlz Collection, New Orleans based boutique. I have been in business since 2017. My goal when creating this establishment was to encourage women of all ethnicities and body types and show them that their curvaceous silhouette would be recognized and appreciated

@beauxcurviangurlz

@beaux_curvian_gurlz

https://beauxcurviangurlz.com