Participating Designers
Emily Clark
Emilliner
Ms. Clark, creator of the ‘Emilliner’ label, developed an early affinity for textiles and fashion. Her European training and experience in couture fashion, combined with her Midwestern heritage, gives her designs a fresh, modern, fashion forward quality. Her collections are an expression of color, texture, and form. Evocative of nature and the exotic, each hat celebrates light and energy, rhythm and flow. Consequently, Emilliner hats are an easy to wear accessory for any woman. Ms. Clark is also a proud supporter of sustainable fashion and eco-friendly business practices.
Kristen Files
Mesela
“Fashion Takes Flight”
Ms. Files, head designer and founder of Mesela Studios, has had a lifelong involvement in the arts. She discovered her artistic outlet in designing feather-embellished clothing and accessories for women. All of Ms. Files’ designs are embellished with, or made exclusively of, feathers. Mesela fills a void, providing tastefully-made feather pieces to inject a little exoticism into the everyday woman’s wardrobe.
Catherine Fritsch
Mercurious Designs
http://SweetRevengeLingerie.com
Ms. Fritsch, owner of ‘Mercurious Designs’, learned her craft working as a pattern-maker and seamstress in professional costume shops. After doing freelance costume design and custom garment-making out of her home studio, she launched ‘Mercurious Designs’ in 2007. Ms. Fritsch’s new line of sleepwear and intimates, called ‘Sweet Revenge’, is currently in production and ready for both retail and web purchase.
Gabriela Frezza
Gaby Couture
Ms. Freeza, owner of “Gaby” and “Gaby Couture”, is inspired by Euro-Latin culture and travels throughout South America. Each of her designs is distinctive for its elegance and its unique personality. Ms. Freeza’s designs are created with the women in mind: sexy and demonstrating the sensuality of Latin Culture.
To-Tam Ton-Nu and To-Nya Ton-Nu
Sachika
For as long as either can remember, the Ton-Nu twins have dreamed of taking the fashion world by storm. They launched Sachika, meaning ‘more wishes, more fortune, and more happiness’, as a tribute to their parents. Sachika’s dresses reinvent the concept for today’s active woman. While their dresses are definitely trendy, sophisticated, and comfortable, many Sachika dresses also feature flexibility; they transform effortlessly from sportswear, to office wear, to evening wear. In addition to designing a new collection of dresses, Sachika is planning to introduce a line of trendy T-shirts for men.
Sharon Evans
Replica
Ms. Evans is owner, designer, and dress-maker for “Replica”. Her designs are inspired by nostalgia, culture, and simplicity. Ms. Evans specializes in custom gowns for all occasions: including, but not limited to, After 5, Bridal, Pageant, and Prom.
Berny Martin
Catou
Mr. Martin, founder of Catou Couture, is a Midwestern designer with a global vision for the fashion industry. His designs are expressions of creativity and diversity: edgy, yet elegant, flirty, yet sophisticated. Mr. Martin’s interest in fashion developed early. Even as a child, he was sketching and designing his own clothing. As a college student, he was given a one-time opportunity to create an entire collection and display his designs in a fashion show. This was the spark that later developed into Midwest Fashion Week, and his Catou Couture line. Mr. Martin strives to be a consistent source of encouragement for local fashion designers, as well as for the next generation of designers. This spirit of encouragement, as well as the name of his line, serves as a tribute to his grandmother, Marie Elizabeth Catou Loiseau.