Last week Omaha Fashion Camp 2021 took over the Omaha Design Center! Campers ages 6-17 had the opportunity to gain key industry skills and learn more about fashion, all led by our friends at Develop Model Management.
Campers spent the week gearing up to sew garments for one look that would be presented in a showcase at the end of the week. They were able to chose from an abundant selection of pieces at the Goodwill Pop Up. Teen campers will be presenting these looks during Omaha Fashion Week this fall.
Here’s a quick recap of what campers learned during the week!
DAY 1
In the morning, the younger campers learned sewing skills and practicing stitching and sewing buttons on paper plates. Campers spent time finding inspiration for the garment they would create later in the week by cutting pictures out of magazines.
In the afternoon, the teen campers learned sewing skills by creating hand-sewn felt purses, complete with button closures.
DAY 2
After a full day of sewing practice, morning campers were ready to create the same hand-sewn felt purses that the teens had created the day before.
Afternoon campers learned how to draw croquis (or fashion figures) so that they could begin sketching out their ideas for the garment they would create later in the week. Teen campers each created a zippered clutch with a strap on the sewing machines. They finished out their day of activities by gathering up inspiration for mood boards.
DAY 3
On day three, the younger campers worked on a headband project by selecting fabrics and practicing cutting on grain. Morning campers learned how to draw croquis and spent some time practicing their sewing skills on the machines.
Teenage campers learned about fashion branding and spent time sketching a brand logo, as well as continued work sketching their designs and creating mood boards. Campers hit the Goodwill Pop Up to refashion clothing items, a practice in upcycling.
DAY 4
Morning campers were ready to sew headbands on day four. After creating their accessories, they selected fabric to create a wrap skirt. Fabric was cut and sewn into a wrap skirt with a hand-sewn button closure.
In the afternoon, teen campers had freedom to complete their projects. Campers worked on their mood boards, continued to sketch and select fabric, and finished up any sewing for their garments.
DAY 5
On the last day of camp, the young campers attended rehearsal for their fashion show. Parents arrived at the end of the morning session to watch their campers present the wrap skirts and headbands they created during the week.
The older campers spent the day finishing up their garments and getting ready for the showcase. Once parents arrived, campers presented the garments they designed in a fashion show. The looks presented will also walk on the Omaha Fashion Week Runway this fall.
Here are some sneak peeks from Omaha Fashion Camp!
Photography & Videography by Dan Richters 2021
Campers who attended the afternoon session, ages 11-17, are invited to walk in Omaha Fashion Week on Thursday, August 26th. Omaha Fashion Campers will open the show as a headliner collection. Campers will showcase the look they created during camp, but are welcome to improve the design in the meantime. Camp families have a super-secret discount code for 50% off two tickets to the show. Check your email!
Don’t wait to reserve your spot for Omaha Fashion Camp on July 11-15, 2022. Develop Model Management is already planning a whole new set of projects for next summer, designed to teach campers new skills. If you attend camp this year, check your inbox for a discount code giving you $25 off registration.
Brand new children's fashion education programming is coming out this fall at the Fashion Arts Collective, a non-profit that supports our Omaha fashion scene. Check out their website to learn more!
Omaha Fashion Camp made the paper! Check out this great coverage in the Omaha World Herald of Omaha Fashion Camp. It appeared in the Sunday print edition, as well!