Luis Machicao Bio: From Lima, Peru, Luis Machicao has designed attire with elegance and sophistication for 32 years. “I think the classy woman is always in.” Today, he embodies the fashion scene of Charlotte, North Carolina. He showcases collections in Milan, New York, and Paris, and won the Best Designer Award in 2013 at Paris Fashion Week. Machicao designs for actors, public figures, and influencers around the world. He makes everything with a couture touch. “Since I was a little kid I knew that fashion was for me, I was always organized, I color coordinated everything I wore; everything was to perfection. I always showed interest in fashion, but it wasn’t until I had a chance to travel to Paris and assist in...

Danny Nguyen Couture Bio: Lurid fluorescent light spills over a shadowy figure working deep into the night. Exacting needles, spools of fine thread, and luxuriant fabrics find their way in and around the dexterous hands of this diligent artist. Reckless passion is cast aside and replaced by the brutal will of a true fashion designer. To describe Danny Nguyen's talents with words would be as futile as identifying infinity with a number. Despite his now bolstering yet enigmatic personality, Danny Nguyen's foundation in the fashion world is rooted in the soil of humility. He began as a child, under the wing of his mother. Predating his arrival to the United States, Danny would be seen at a very early age cutting fabrics, collecting...

Shawna Marino – Shawna M Designs Bio: Shawna M Designs is a bridal and couture label focusing on timeless elegance and glamour in every one of her gowns. Head designer, Shawna Marino, created the brand with a passion for design after completing a bridal internship in New York City. There she learned the art of bridal and couture gown making and designed her own label. Her brand’s mission is to make anyone wearing her gowns feel like luxury. About her collection: The S/S 2021 collection is focused on classic elegance and luxury in every detail. From exquisite lace to the beaded appliqués that garnish the gowns, these designs embody a uniqueness that is sure to stand out in a crowd. These bridal gowns are a signature collection;...

Masha Titievsky-Dehaan – VARYFORM Bio: VARYFORM is a contemporary womenswear line designed by Masha Titievsky-Dehaan in Chicago, Illinois. The name is derived from the Vary Form Curve Rule, a contoured fashion pattern drafting tool that gets steeper gradually. VARYFORM expresses change over time and the transformative nature of clothing. VARYFORM design is strongly influenced by natural phenomena such as plant growth patterns, wave movement, the structure of crystals, and the reflective surfaces of water and glass as well as the feelings of "the good life" and travel. Her designs transform these natural elements into special staples with a sense of glamour and sophistication. VARYFORM has been recognized by Elle Magazine's Nina Garcia for her signature wool crepe separates and has been printed in...

Berny Martin Founder of Catou Fashion/Midwest Fashion Week & Fashion Community Foundation Bio: For Berny Martin, fashion designer and founder of Catou—an internationally-recognized line of men’s and women’s professional wear—fashion has always been a way of life. After earning a computer technology degree from Purdue University in 2002, Martin realized that his true passion had always been fashion. His lifelong dream came to fruition with the launch of Catou in 2005. Martin has shown his collection on runways all over the world, including Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Kuwait, and Munich, and the label has been worn by countless celebrities including Billy Porter, Jim Parsons, Tom Payne, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, just to name a few. Catou has been featured on a variety of...

Heather Marie Designs Bio: Heather Marie… a 1999 chemistry graduate of Butler University, who earned a Masters of Organizational Management of University of Phoenix Dallas Campus in 2005, resigned from corporate America in 2019 to pursue her dreams with Heather Marie Designs. Although Heather Marie Designs was established in 2013 to create custom apparel for numerous brands, individuals and several private labels, Heather Marie… reinvented the brand in 2019 with designing luxurious custom fedoras to have rock star, eclectic and classic characteristics that expand wardrobe essentials. Haus of S.E.L.F. (Stylish Eclectic Luxurious Fedoras) have a drawstring inside sweatband for size adjustments which is excellent for those who wear wigs, hair extensions, braids and/or locs. About her collection: Heather Marie Designs presents: COVERED Bespoke Collection. My inspiration...