by Niamh Murphy

Despite cold, drizzly weather, hundreds of fashionistas came out to support local designers, stylists, models and other creative folks at the third annual Omaha Fashion Week finale show Saturday, Sept. 18. The runway show was again held outside Nomad Lounge, 10th and Jones. Earlier in the week, organizers said the massive, 200-foot runway would be moved under the nearby bridge just northeast of Nomad due to weather concerns. I arrived early and headed backstage to chat with some of the amazing multi-talented designers and stylists (all of whom donated their services). Shannon Stickman, co-owner of Seven Salon, told me that her favorite part of Fashion Week is that the event brings together so many creative artists. “We are all here for one cause, and that’s fashion,” Stickman said. “Fashion is all about interpretation and everyone interprets it in their own way.” Stickman’s Seven Salon did hair for designers Dan Richters (“who has a very awesome sense of artistry about him,” Stickman said) and Sabrina Jones (“who has a classic, amazing, vintage glamour style,” Stickman said). Backstage Richters’ models sat cross-legged in a circle as the designer calmly told them how they would be transformed from young women into otherworldly beings. The girls seemed mesmerized by his storytelling. I asked Richters about his inspiration for this year’s collection. “Mythology and fairytales having to do with things under water and now coming out of the water, leaving their homes and starting a new life,” he said. “All the clothes are blues and greens and shiny and I want the models to have a shiny white ‘underwater look’ to them … so they have the weeds coming out of their hair.” Another designer who caught my eye backstage was Wendy Krecek Stiff, who designs exclusively with latex. According to her assistant, Stiff’s designs reflect the fetish/innovative look that’s found in the New York and L.A. underground scenes. I was excited to get a chance to speak with featured designer Daniel Munoz, who took a short break to tell me about his amazing collection. “I really went back to the ’60s glamour with a more nautical feel and a modern twist to our generation,” Munoz said. “I went back to using stripes, which is very nautical, and I also used draping and shiny fabrics to make the effects of glamour.” Glamour was surely not in short supply Saturday night. And despite inclement weather, the show was an entertaining success. Specials kudos to all members of Omaha’s creative community, who proved that our city brims with amazing talent.

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