Photography | Heather and Jameson, Designer | Elsie’s Attic, Nicole Daberkow
What did the Investor’s Circle grant help you achieve that would have been more difficult to do without or that you otherwise would not have been able to?
Nicole: The Investor’s Circle grant allowed me to purchase the equipment I desperately needed to create my collection with the level of quality and professionalism that I strive for.
Judy: Having shown at Omaha Fashion Week for almost 10 years, I have struggled with fitting my pieces to my models. I live in southeastern Iowa, so often I do not meet and do fittings with my models until a few weeks before the show, when our collection should be almost complete. The Investor’s Circle grant allowed me to purchase a top-of-the-line dressmaker’s mannequin, with legs, removable arms, collapsible shoulders, and the ability to be pinned aggressively, as well as the ability to pad the mannequin up three sizes. This allows me to simulate each model’s body and more accurately design for them at a distance. Consequently, it allows me to choose models with a wider range of body types, a long time desire I have had. The mannequin is a fundamental tool for me as I increase my skills of draping and patternmaking. This will allow me to continually become more fluid in my ability to translate what is in my mind’s eye to the physical garment.
Rachel: Receiving the Investor’s Circle grant was a pivotal moment for me as a designer. The $500 grant provided by the OFW Investor’s Circle enabled me to invest in higher-quality fabrics and materials, elevating the craftsmanship and overall aesthetic of my collection. This financial support allowed me to experiment with new techniques and designs that would have been challenging to pursue otherwise and allowed me to curate my accessories to aid in telling my fashion story.
Bex: Digital printing imagery on specific fabrics was a major theme throughout my collection. Digital printing however is a costly procedure and was not something I had the money to do. Because of the Investors Circle grant I was able to elevate my fabrications which greatly impacted the visual reception of my designs.
