Local Designer in ICT Fashion Show

Andover designer options clothes in ICT Trend Tour

Final Friday, Andover resident and dressmaker Libbi Jessen featured her private clothes designs on the catwalk of the ICT Trend Tour, (ICTFT). The pop-up trend present befell at Vanya Designs the place Jessen works in Wichita and is the primary present of many to come back for the 2023 season.

Began in Oct. 2021, ICT Trend Tour Founder, An Ri and associates set out on a mission to broaden the style neighborhood in Wichita. By creating an inclusive trend present lineup of designers, fashions volunteers and past, ICTFT options native designers whereas emphasizing on marginalized people whereas being inclusive when choosing fashions. All ages 16 and older are inspired to use no matter gender and dimension.

The present has featured 28 native designers together with three youth and 155 native fashions, lower than 50 of these being signed to an company. A singular side of ICTFT is the situation and timing of the occasions. Every pop-up is held at a special location round Wichita to showcase the nice metropolis and artists.

“Our major mission for fashions who volunteer with us is to signify our neighborhood, (no matter age, dimension and gender), and promote physique positivity by artwork.” Stated An Ri.

Beginning into the second season of operation there’s been an incredible development in viewers attendance. When the primary present debuted in 2021, there was 50 individuals attending in comparison with the 2022 finale with 300 in attendance. Whereas the pop-up exhibits are free to attend, there are fundraiser occasions held all year long to assist safe funds for the next season to permit this volunteer run group to proceed. These occasions embrace a “gourmand” trend expertise. They’re ticketed occasions that include a curated 4 course dinner, crafted cocktails, reside music and a themed trend expertise.

“We’re excited to see people popping out to our exhibits as attempt our greatest to make it a singular expertise.” Stated An Ri. “We en- pleasure collaborating with native artists, whether or not or not it’s visible or performing to essentially make our exhibits a particular expertise.”

Final Friday’s present featured designs by 4 native designers with all brides in thoughts. There have been conventional bridal robes, robes designed for the divorcee, little black attire and jumpsuits for the boss girls and various wedding ceremony attire. Jessen featured her little black costume line she’s crafted for formal occasions she’s attended herself. There was one black velvet tux, 5 little black attire and one black jumpsuit within the line proven.

“It was my first trend present for my private designs, (My designs have been seen on the runway by Vanya), and it was an awesome expertise.” Stated Jessen. “I’m actually excited for upcoming exhibits and the finale as a result of I’ll be exhibiting much more designs.”

Rising up in Andover, Jessen attended Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic Excessive College in Wichita. Jessen grew to become intrigued with stitching her sophomore yr of highschool after taking an elective class over stitching. After exploring her ardour for stitching by two extra stitching lessons, she got here to understand this could possibly be the best profession for her. After touring Kansas State College, she knew she wished to amass her trend diploma from them. She attended Butler Neighborhood Faculty for one yr then went onto to KSU and graduated with a level in Attire and Textiles with a specialization in Design and Manufacturing.

“No person thinks a few trend diploma within the Midwest as a result of individuals don’t assume the Midwest may be very modern,” mentioned Jessen. “However there’s a lot hidden expertise.”

Earlier than graduating from KSU there’s a luncheon held by the scholars for potential employers. The night features a dinner and a trend present that includes designs by the scholars. That’s the place Jessen met her present employer, Alicia Ybarra, CEO of Vanya Designs in Wichita. Beginning as an intern in 2019, Ybarra had no intention of preserving Jessen on the workforce merely attributable to the truth that the corporate didn’t have room for an additional worker on the time. As soon as the summer time internship ended, a spot was miraculously left vacant, and Jessen was in a position to be employed on as Assistant Designer the place she’s labored for the final 4 years.

“I like all the pieces about design. From discovering inspiration to including my very own twist. I’ve at all times loved sample making and I discover quite a lot of inspiration from material.” Stated Jessen. “I’m very fortunate to have this expertise and in a position to design.”

Though she doesn’t do any fee work or promote any of her items presently, Jessen would like to sometime design her personal swimwear line. Till then, she is going to keep on with the bridal aspect of issues with Vanya, sort things for associates and make formal put on for herself. You’ll be able to sit up for Jessen’s designs being on the runway once more for the ICTFT Finale present in early fall. ICTFT may even convey a present to Butler County in Oct., so keep tuned for that upcoming information.