LaPorchia Davis, graduate student in apparel, merchandising and design, and Nekia Thomas, ISU alumna who also majored in apparel, merchandising and design, showcased their own brands on Sept. 25 at the Wildflower Event Center in Ames.

Both currently own online businesses.

The collaboration of both businesses was Davis’ idea. She contacted Thomas over the summer about setting up the event where, Thomas said, “beauty and fashion would collide.”

Davis and Thomas both had products available in person, encouraging shoppers to visit their online stores.

Davis’ company, LC Beauty Extensions, sells 100-percent Peruvian human hair. The hair is unprocessed and can be dyed any color from it original “natural dark” state. Davis’ extensions, depending on the user’s maintenance of the product, can be reused for six to 18 months.

“The reason I created this line for women was to let them look fabulous while on a budget,” Davis said.

Davis brought three sample hair extensions to the showcase, as well as pamphlets on how to properly take care of the hair.

Aalariah Waters, freshman in biology, modeled the hair extensions at the event.

“The hair is great quality and has longevity,” Waters said. “I’ve had it for three months, dyed it, and it is still as beautiful as it was the first day I got it.”

LC Beauty Extensions has been in business for one year. Davis started it with $500, turning it into $6,000 business in that time frame.

“It was something I’ve wanted to do since I was six years old,” Davis said.

Thomas’ business, Nekia Marie Boutique, sells clothing and accessories. Her business offers ready-to-wear items, as well as custom pieces. Nekia Marie Boutique went online last January.

“My products are for the girl who likes statement pieces and being a little edgy,” Thomas said.

One of her clothing items, the “fly girl high-waisted jeans,” was featured on Blake von D’s blog. Von D is a model whose blogs have been featured in a variety of fashion magazines like Vibe, Essence and J’Adore Magazine.

“You never know who will hear about you,” Thomas said.

Thomas said she never thought she would have gotten this far in her business a year ago.

“I thought I’d be working in the corporate fashion world,” Thomas said. “I knew in my heart, though, that I didn’t want to work for a fashion empire, but to create one.”

Thomas said she knew from the age of 7 she wanted to own her own fashion business.

When she could not find any accessories she liked when she was younger, she decided to create her own.

“When my friends asked where I’d bought my new accessories, I told them I made them,” Thomas said.

Some of her custom accessories include earlaces, thigh chains, nose chains and head chains.

Thomas brought approximately 100 items to the event. About 25 percent were custom-made accessories.

Thomas will feature her products again during a fashion show at The Grove. It will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Davis’ extensions can be purchased at her online store, www.lcbeautyextensions.com, and Thomas’ clothing and accessories can be purchased online at www.nekiamarieboutique.bigcartel.com.