Internationally From The Heart



HIFW SEASON #1
DESIGNERS & CONTRIBUTING BOUTIQUES



LUXUEUX



Luxueux is a rebranded name derived from the French term luxurious. Designing since the age of 14 and in business since 2014, I set out to provide a certain luxury look for Kansas City. I always wanted people to feel like a new person being in my clothing. From luxury gowns, to high end pantsuits. Costume Canvas was the first fashion name chosen because people are the canvases to my customized designs. I changed it to Luxueux to simplify and define just what I want people to feel. Luxurious.



POBI



Pobi is a contemporary African lifestyle brand. Hailing from West Africa Pobi has always had a passion for everything fashion. He attention to detail, lines, fabric, texture and sheer art allow him to create masterpieces for the ladies and gentlemen. Working with patterns is a delight and thinking outside of the box creating a flare intertwining two continents in his pieces. He is inspired by nature and concerned about sustainability in the fashion industry in relation to climate change. Bold comes to mind when he thinks about his Season #1 Collection.




POTAPENKOYANCHENKO



Olha Potapenko and Tatiana Yanchenko have been partners in the fashion industry since 2005. Together they built the brand Potapenko & Yanchenko. Both designers graduated from vocational schools in Ukraine where they were first introduced to the world of fashion. They are considered the Vera Wang of the Ukraine! Since they joined forces in 2005 their work quickly became recognized on a national level for its exceptional quality and captivated the Ukrainian clientele. Soon after, their gowns were demanded in the Arabian Peninsula and various European countries. In September of 2016 the designers took second place at the New Fashion Zone competition for young designers.



BERRY AFRICANA



Josephine Olubukola Uviase is the Head Creative Director at Berry Africana, an African Fashion Brand that makes Traditional Wedding/Occasion Outfits and Accessories for Couples and Afrocentric Celebrants all over the World. Her love for Fashion started at an early age, when she would scribble down Outfit designs, and make outfits with newspapers at home. She went on to get a Distinction in Clothing and Textile for her O'Levels and ventured into the Fashion Retailing Business for about 12 years now, with the Berry Africana Brand established 4 years ago. She holds a Degree in Psychology from the University of Lagos, Nigeria and a M.B.A from Birmingham City University, UK,in her pursuit to better herself and engage her mind. Her Love for Creative Designing, Apt attention to details, Zeal to over- deliver on Customer's expectations, has made her a joy to the almost 400 International Couples and Celebrants from over 15 Countries which Berry Africana Brand has graced. Josephine is a product of the grace of God, and is Happily married to Jonathan with Two Amazing Damsels.



GISELLE'S BRIDAL KC



Located inside Oak Park Mall Shopping Center in Overland Park, Kansas. @gisellesbridalkc Giselle’s Bridal KC is a beautifully designed and intimate boutique offering unique stunning Quincañera, Prom, Bridal Gowns, Formal wear, and much more! They are a local family owned store with over 10 years of experience in special event formal wear! Stop by and visit them for a fun and memorable Giselle’s Bridal KC experience!



S. NICOLE BY SHABEBA



After living in Atlanta For the past 24 years Shabeba with a passion to design a contemporary sleek, classy line in Kansas City Fueled by the constant influence of fashion in this vibrant market of fashion-forward Kansas City women, Shabeba launched S.Nicole Designs August of 2012. With a constant pulse on trends and new innovative combinations, Shabeba reflects a design sensibility of what Kansas City women represent so well, CONFIDENCE!… about her designs "Fabrics fuel my passion to create new looks… from my point of view, fabrics transform the mood of the design. Sometimes that means the design becomes dark and exotic, at other times fabric can sharpen and reflect that modern edge I’m looking for. Kansas City is one of a very few exclusive global fashion meccas where women with a sense of style and means can flourish and define an essential part of this vibrant metropolitan culture.



LU'NE COLLECTIONS



My name is Neneh Jeng. I was born in Gambia, West Africa, raised in Stockholm, Sweden and moved to the USA as an international student in 2000. I have always been a fashionista but embraced my talent three years ago when I realized there was a huge market and gap for authentic African style clothing with an urban twist for the younger generation. I never looked back after taking the first step. I truly love what I do and hope to showcase it on your platform.



THE GOWN GALLERY



Celebrating 30 Years of Style the gown gallery | Kansas City flaunts a wide and ever-changing array of Bridal, Bridesmaids, Mothers and Special Occasion gowns. Conveniently located in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District, the gown gallery offers a unique shopping experience. You won't need to travel to Chicago, New York, LA, or Houston to purchase the gown of your dreams. You can come right here to the only boutique in Kansas City for high fashion, on-trend bridal and evening wear.



SYEEM DESIGN



Aderemi Iyewarun-Miller is a mother of 3! Most importantly she is a child of the most high who believes that we are placed in certain situations for certain reasons. Every experience and everything in this life is for a purpose. Several years ago she had a dream of establishing a fashion brand. It was a dream. In this dream the name of her business was given to her divinely. SYEEM designs was founded as the result of a passion that Aderemi has always had for fashion and all things beautiful. In an effort to find the meaning of the word Syeem Her research led her to a loose interpretation of the word which means to seek beautiful things. The passion for fashion never left her spirit. As a result, Remi is here to present to you her vision, her passion, and her dream delayed! The lesson in all this that everything that is placed on your heart and comes to you by divine inspiration is meant to be manifested. So just remember it might be delayed, but it will never be denied. Syeem Designs is here!



79ROZE DRESS SHOP



Our mission is to promote body positivity by empowering women to embrace their curves. 79 Roze (like the flower Rose) is a boutique catering to the curvy ladies or “curvy divas” as we like to call them. Our philosophy is simple, we believe every woman should feel beautiful and embrace their curves or body type. When you wear one of our dresses, we want you to look and feel confident like the queen you are! The average woman is a size 12-14, yet mainstream stores and boutiques provide limited options. A black dress is a staple for every woman’s closet and we provide options for all occasions!



LEHARR COLLECTION



Chetna Ranat founded Leharr Collection in 2012 out of her personal desire and need for luxury ethnic wear. Her passion towards design and styling brought her to the realization for exceptional Designs, Quality, and Personalized Services. She decided to start and establish Leharr Collection to bring her knowledge and expertise to the fashion world. However, Chetna did not just want to create pieces, She had the desire to take an array of elements within the Indian culture – the vibrant colors, the luxury fabrics, the elegant styles of embroideries – and bring them to a wider customer base. Chetna started innovating, using a mix of traditional and modern design elements to present ready-to-wear & couture pieces to her clients. Leharr Collection has had it’s beautiful pieces presented in Maharani Weddings Magazine, In Kansas City Magazine, The Knot Magazine, and on Better Kansas City-KCTV5



KECHENA DESIGNS



The inception of the Kechena Designs brand started just a few months after I graduated from Missouri State University back in 2013. Choosing my name for the “Kechena Designs” brand due to the fact that it is just what I want to represent my core brand values: bespoke, inspiring, and timeless! Upon studying abroad in London, England during my course in school, the Kechena Designs brand began to take effect. I started to re-evaluate my design concepts and focused on designers such as Issey Miyake and Alexander McQueen. Upon my return back to the states, I took all of my past experiences and studies to merge together and focused on “designing women one seam at a time.” Since then, the Kechena Designs brand has participated in various fashion shows ranging from Chicago Couture Fashion Week, DC Fashion Week, ATL, KC, etc. The energy and excitement around the launch of my showroom a few years ago brought a bright spotlight to my brand and I’m excited to have you follow me in my future endeavors and what God has purposed for my life!



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