Counting down the days until Omaha Fashion Week, The Daily Nebraskan is featuring two student designers who are presenting their pieces during Student Night at OFW.
Many runway shows have a theatrical element to them, and for Dylan Bockman, fashion is about theatricals and art. Bockman, a junior apparel design major, began his academic career as a business student and then switched over to fashion design because of his love for art.
Dylan Beckman, a junior fashion design major, poses for a picture in the Gwendolyn A. Newkirk Human Sciences Building on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Captured by the art and theatricals of fashion, Bockman has one garment for OFW. While the entirety of the piece is to remain a secret until OFW’s Student Night, the garment is an all-black denim piece that will be carried around in a metal briefcase.
“One thing about me is things look a little careless or nonchalant, but every single thing I do has intention and meaning behind it,” Bockman said.
An up-cycled denim trench coach, designed by Dylan Beckman, a junior fashion design major, pictured in the Gwendolyn A. Newkirk Human Sciences Building on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Bockman’s intention was in the lack of pockets in his denim design. He did not want whoever was modeling the design to hide in their pockets; instead, the model must find confidence within themselves.
The Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design Department at UNL also invited alumni back to present on Student Night.
Recent alumnus, Kelly Thompson, graduated in May 2023 and will present an eight-piece collection called, “Bleeding Heart,” a gothic tragedy collection inspired by “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst.
“I like telling a story with my designs rather than having them be a piece of clothing,” Thompson said.
Thompson tries to work with higher-quality materials while also maintaining sustainability in her work by using natural fabrics.
Post-graduation, Thompson works for SIGNS & SHAPES, an inflatable costume company that designed the inflatable suit for Lil’ Red. Recently, Thompson accepted an apparel design internship with Free People.
Thompson admires OFW as a resource and an opportunity for young designers in the Midwest, especially since it is free to participate.
Theatricals are always a large part of OFW, and all week many designers will tell stories through their designs on the OFW runway. For more information about Omaha Fashion Week, click here.