Three Iowa State students are making appearances at Omaha Fashion Week this season.

Erin Tepper, senior in apparel, merchandising and design, will be showing at Omaha Fashion Week for the first time this year. She will be showing part of her collection that she will also use for her senior collection thesis at Iowa State.

Tepper will be showing a ready-to-wear collection at Omaha Fashion Week. The collection includes a wide variety of pieces including jumpsuits, separates and dresses. Her collection features neutral colors and sequins, along with natural elements.

“Initially it was for a class, but I put a lot of thought into it during the summer,” Tepper said.

Tepper will be showing under her brand’s name, Ezradella. Next semester she hopes to register Ezradella as a small business through an independent study program.

Omaha Fashion Week exposes new and upcoming designers. Tepper believes the experience will be a great way to expose her brand to potential buyers and to people in the fashion industry.

“They have buyers that come and place orders at the show,” Tepper said. “It will give me the opportunity to produce my brand.”

Katherine Thompson, graduate student in apparel, events and hospitality management, will be showing at Omaha Fashion Week for the third time. She has experienced the benefits of showing at Omaha Fashion Week first hand.

“I’ve sold a lot of pieces after my show,” Thompson said.

Showing at Omaha Fashion Week exposed her work that she has done so far in her career to potential buyers. 

Also, Omaha Fashion Week is a great experience for designers to network with people in the industry.

“They have a good group of mentors that help you network,” Thompson said.

Caine Westergard, an Iowa State alum, has shown at Omaha Fashion Week four times. Westergard was the first Iowa State student to ever show at Omaha Fashion Week in August 2012.

“I had a great experience, and each season I learned new tips and tricks to make each collection better,” Westergard said.

Westergard said that the experience exposed her line and helped her grow as a designer.

“Showing in Omaha Fashion Week taught me how to be a designer and market my collection,” Westergard said. “Overall, Omaha Fashion Week was a great exposure for my line, and I would love to show again when the time is right.”

Whitney Rorah, graduate student in apparel, events, and hospitality management, will be showing for the second time at Omaha Fashion Week. Rorah also has experienced great benefits from showing at Omaha Fashion Week.

“A gain in the past was meeting people at the shows that are interested in your style and aesthetic and are possible clients.” Rorah said.

This year Thompson hopes to keep her same aesthetic and brand image but challenge herself with a new type of collection.

“I would like to gain a more versatile collection,” Thompson said. “I want to mix business casual with an edge.”

In the past Rorah mainly has done high end wedding gowns. However, this year she will be showing a collection of six to eight evening gowns.

“I want to create a lower price line to where it appeals to more people,” Rorah said. 

Rorah says she credits the Iowa State apparel program for the skills that she has acquired to get to where she is now.

“Our whole undergraduate degree has helped out.” Rorah said. “Learning how to use the industrial machine and learning different techniques.”

Tepper also said that the apparel design program taught her a lot of valuable skills that have helped her get to where she is now.

“The design core we have to go through like pattern making, sewing and illustration has helped a lot,” Tepper said.

“Be fully committed and push yourself,” Thompson said about the advice she would give to current students. “What we learn in school is the basics and it’s upon yourself to take it further.”

Many students in apparel fear moving to places like New York or Los Angeles due to the high cost of living. However, Tepper said that it’s worth moving to where you want to work.

”I know a lot of people are concerned about money,” Tepper said. “But a lot of people let it get in the way of your dreams. You should move to where you want to move despite of the cost.”

Omaha Fashion Week gives new designers a chance to expose their collections and make connections in the fashion industry. Tepper, Rorah and Thompson will be showing their collections at the next Omaha Fashion Week in March 2015.

For more information on Omaha fashion week visit omahafashionweek.com