This is a list of the accepted designers for the Spring 2012 Midwest Fashion Week. Please check back often as accepted designers will be updated regularly!

Antonio Fermin - Gowns by Antonio Fermin

Mr. Fermin is an award-winning, international designer – voted manufacturer and designer of the year twice and the only designer in the history of the bridal industry to receive the Award of Excellence. He has dedicated his life to brides and the industry. When you select a gown designed by Mr. Fermin, he travels to our location to provide consultation to each bride, assisting you in the selection of your gown and accessorizing you from head to toe. The personalized attention offered by Mr. Fermin is unparalleled in the industry.

Mr. Fermin’s collection of gowns is based on a simple elegance. Exquisite fabrics and fine detailing are his trademarks. He works subtle color into styles and offers the availability of feminine design, without being overdone

Berny Martin – Catou

While pursuing a computer engineering degree at Purdue University, Haitian born college student, Berny Martin, took a chance to explore his true passion and created an entire collection for a student fashion show. With fashion design and construction being a part of his life since childhood when he made his first article, a pair of pants, Berny decided to focus on fashion design and enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Combining his worldly travels, training, and natural talent, Berny launched his own label, Catou. Named after his grandmother, Catou garments are elegant and sophisticated with an edgy flare. His stylish, well-tailored clothing have been featured in runway shows the world over, and continue to provide the fashion industry with ageless, one of a kind fashions.

Carol Toole – Electric Image

As an Indiana native, Carole Toole spent most of her professional life as an educator. She taught English to middle school and high school students, and taught analytical writing as a college professor. Common themes in her designs are organic silhouettes and prints juxtaposed with geometric details, seam work, color blocking, and the combination of unexpected materials to create a uniquely chic look. Carole’s garments take form using quality material, especially leather and silk.  When asked to describe her unique design style, Carole stated, “I look at myself as a designer who paints with a new brush and invite my customers to have fun wearing my Electric Image imagination!”

Erica Hawkins – Bubblegum Couture

Bubblegum Couture provides fashionable tutu’s, dresses and fashionable clothing for your little princess, diva, or rock star. We do every kind of punk and princess style and color you would want to have your little diva, punk star or princess to express herself in. Fashionably Edgy is what this company is all about. We love to turn the plain into photo ready, runway walking styles. Parties, weddings, costumes etc. We have an outfit for every occasion. Bubblegum Couture has statements in more ways than one. It’s the voice of Edgy youth, The Prima Donnas, The Glamorous Babies and “It girls”.

Michael Alan Stein – The Michael Alan Stein Collection

The Michael Alan Stein collection is a masterful modern sys-tem of dressing created with the goal of developing a global lifestyle clothing brand. The Collection was formed from Mr. Steins understanding of the contemporary woman’s desires for comfort, style, and sophisticated clothing. His epony-mous collection is always about fabulous fit, magnificent color, the best fabrics available, and is proudly made in the U.S.A.

Michael started his career in New York City where he at-tended Parson’s School of Design and The Fashion Institute of Technology, where he became an acclaimed costume de-signer known for his fantastic designs and exciting use of color. Not only have his designs graced some of this na-tion’s premiere theatres, but he is also recognized for his designs for feature films and television.

His Fall 2012 collection is inspired by the sensuous move-ments of the tango, featuring beautiful jewel tones and the subtle use of the current trend of color blocking.

Nataliya Kitic – Studio NTK

Born in Bulgaria, Nataliya graduated from The Art Institute of Indianapolis in 2010 with a degree in fashion design. In 2010 she was a national finalist in the Humane Society of the United States’ Cool vs. Cruel Competition, as well as a national finalist for the Brown Shoe Company Shoe Design Contest, and was the first place winner in the Zappos.com 2008 Shoe Design Contest. In January 2011, Natalyia founded of Studio NTK, an Apparel design and Manufacturing company that helps small and start up businesses with design, product development, and small run manufacturing.

Poppy Seeds

In 2010 Danisha and Krista were talking during class and Danisha randomly mentioned that she’ was putting on a musical and had to make costumes for all of the dancers… that was LESS THAN A MONTH away! She asked Krista for help and Krista accepted, though Danisha was very hesitant asking, ““Are you sure? Most of my friends say they will, but don’t stick to it.”” Krista replied saying, ““No, I’m not like that. I’’ll help you out!””
They spent their following weekends up at the school completing the costumes on time!
Often, they both had talked about wanting their own business. It was in September 2010 that Danisha and Krista felt this was a calling for them to journey on together. They frequently spent time at the school working on random items, but never really had a set plan.
In December Danisha came up with the idea of having their own brand launching it on Etsy. Putting their ideas together they came up with a concept. Since then most of their time is spent working on Poppy Seeds. “
“We feel that God has connected us together for a reason and are so excited and anxious to see where he is going to take us on this journey!” “

Rachel Kozikowski – Sugar Baby Bowtique

Rachel Kozikowski is the founder and Designer of Sugar Baby Bowtique. She attended business College in Grand Rapids, Michigan for 3 years and then graduated from a Cosmetology School in Indianapolis.  Rachel found her new hobby by designing children’s clothing and accessories after she gave birth to her daughter Juliana and son Josiah. With her daughter as her inspiration, she quickly decided to start Sugar Baby Bowtique.

Tyfani Jones – Tu-Tu Cute

Tyfani Jones is the founder and designer of “Tu-Tu Cute”. Born in Los Angeles, California, Tyfani has always had a passion for fashion. A single mother of three, Tyfani decided to turn her love for fashion & hobby into a business in 2011. With two daughters, Keirra & Maleyah, Tyfani is constantly up to date with all the newest trends. While “Tu-Tu Cute” currently specializes in girl’s fashion, Tyfani’s youngest and only son, Ryan, has inspired her to come out with a collection for the young men & is looking forward to launching “Dapper Don Couture” winter 2012. “Tu-Tu Cute” specializes in custom handmade, over the top tutus, shirts & accessories that are perfect for any day.

Sheila Ferguson  - Jealousy Jane Couture

Canadian-American designer Sheila L. Ferguson (above center) is the founder of JealousyJane Couture, a  unique clothing line featuring one-of-a-kind couture gowns, swimwear, Friday-night-out dresses, lingerie, costumes and bridal.  Her designs have a young and fresh feel with vintage undertones.  Ferguson first launched JealousyJane Couture following her studies in studio art at Indiana University, and began crashing the runways in Bloomington, IN and now for us here in Indianapolis.

Ferguson’s classical training in fine art influences her design greatly. In a interview with her, she commented, “Because I am primarily an artist, and then a designer, I like to take a very sculptural approach to designing. I do not use patterns at all. Often times, I do not know what I am going to make until I feel the fabric and somehow magic happens and I become inspired.

Shelia Scott - N’cholé Féroce

“A vision given to a person purpose driven.”  N’cholé Féroce™ (nik-O-lay fay-rOsh), founded by Sheila Scott, is “edge times elegant” style that celebrates the classy yet edgy professional woman.  Inspired by her mother, Sheila reacquainted herself with designing and brought her God-given vision to life.  Sheila represents the confidence and attitude for success and positively influences all who cross her path.  This same attitude is seen in her designs.  N’cholé Féroce™ emanates the ferocity within every woman.  “Classy style with an elegant edge.”

 Stephanie Williams – Blue Eyes and Bare Feet Designs

In 2010, after having spent 7 ½ years as a financial advisor, Stephanie’s passion for sewing and designing was encouraged by her sister, Carolyn West, who asked her to participate with her at the Westfield Farmer’s Market. As of now, she is a designer, business operator, seamstress, promoter, janitor, and anything else in between…

She is the proud mother to three incredible children (with number 4 on the way) – Isaac, Abigail and Elise, and is married to the MOST supportive husband on the planet – Tom. Her family resides in Williams, Indiana (a tiny, tiny town in the country of Southern Indiana established by her husbands’ ancestors) after moving from Westfield, Indiana in June of 2011. She was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She graduated with a B.S. in Business with a double major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and specialization in Communications from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University – Bloomington. Stephanie is involved in the community as much as she can and is the founder of Indy {alphaChicks}, a business, social and philanthropic organization for Gen X & Y women entrepreneurs like herself.