Meet The Designers
Presenting at
the DC Cultura Fashion Show
Afua Sam
Country: Ghana
Website: The A Concept by Afua Sam | Studio Maxsi
Facebook: The A Concept
Instagram: dmaxsi
STUDIO D'MAXSI's brand of elegant yet edgy collections
has gained her a diverse clientele from everyday people to celebrities
for major events such as the Oscars, Grammys, DayTime Emmys, BET Honors;
Ebony 100 Most Influential People, IMAGE awards, Black Panther
Hollywood Premiere, GUBA Awards "GUBAYA21", Ghana GUBA AwardsUSA, music
videos and TV Shows, just to name a few.
She was named by C-HUB Magazine in LONDON , as one of 100
most INFLUENTIAL CREATIVE people for 2022. She was recently inducted into the DC
HALL OF 2019 FAME DESIGNERS and recognized as a LIT IN DC 2019 HONOREE. Her designs have been featured in ESSENCE Magazine.
STUDIO D'MAXSI has been featured in various fashion shows including New York Fashion Week, Divas Of Colour London, Ubiquitous Expo, Maryland Fashion Week, DC Fashion Week ,Crystal Couture , Runway Liberial International, Georgetown Fashion Show, Full Bloom Fashion Show, Golden Scissors Awards and more.
In
the midst of distinctive accomplishment of having her gowns worn In
Hollywood and across the globe, Afua has a gentle spirit and remains
true to her values.
Tell us about your collection: My Collection is something that makes you stand out in the crowd and also tells a story. I love adventure, colors and unique fabrics and create with. Prepare to be on a journey to my culture. Studio D'Maxsi specializes in Red carpet looks, party dresses, casual chic wedding dresses, prom dresses, suits -for all events
Maria Rao
Country: Pakistan
Website: Maria Rao
Facebook: Maria Rao Designs
Instagram: Maria Rao Official
Maria Rao is a self-made designer who started her career at the age of 16. She started working for close friends and family members, but her clientele grew quickly. In a few years, she established a workshop/studio with dedicated tailors and employees. With no formal education in fashion, her hands-on experience speaks volumes of her knowledge in the industry.
Tell us about your collection: Fusion - my designs epitomize glamour by offering clientele her innate fashion sense and style. Innovative design developed with a modern aesthetic.
Type of Collection Fusion: An innovative blend of east and west through draping and materials and signature accents.
Irena Levkovich
Country: Ukraine
Website: Wool WondersThe idea of creating clothes from the nature-born fibers, like silk and wool, is an extension of my philosophy :
to share with others the energy that I draw from the beauty of the world.
I always try to bring attention to the recklessness of our consumerist society. My motto is simple: Do No Harm.
My work combines two equally important concepts:
On
one hand, clothes must look beautiful, feminine and elegant, and on the
other they must be comfortable to wear and produced with eco-friendly
technology.
By combining these seemingly contradicting concepts, I try to create a unique, one of a kind product. I encourage women to make a step towards harmony with the world, the step that they can take without sacrificing their comfort or elegance.
There is no negative energy in my creations: eco-fur doesn't require slaughtering an animal - it is still out there, roaming around and will make many other people happy with clothes beautiful and warm. My clients are people, who choose to respect other living beings.
To feel that you are in a harmonious balance with your environment is an easy achievable pleasure. All you have to do, is to have in your wardrobe something, that keeps the warmth of caring hands and the beauty of the nature.
Type of Collection: nature-born fibers | felt
Sonia Avilés
Country: Bolivia
Facebook: Sonia Avilés
Instagram: Sonia Avilés
Sonia Avilés is a designer who has worked for many years on projects to support the indigenous women of her country for the recovery of feminine knowledge. Her love for ethnic fashion was born since she knew how to bring ancestral techniques to haute couture and blend a fusion of ethnicity and current fashion, which she presented on runways in various countries in Europe, North and South America.
Tell us about your collection: Collection "Synergy" is a collection inspired by the embroidery of the Quechua cultures of southern Bolivia.
Tatiana Cole
Country: Russia
Facebook: Tatiana Cole
Instagram: Tatiana Cole
Custom clothing for weddings & special occasions, gowns, and costumes.
Tell us about your collection: My collection is inspired by Russian National costume, crafts, and fairy tales.
Type of Collection: Everything gorgeous | special occasions | costumes
Rosa Maria Agudo
Country: Bolivia
Facebook: Rossemary's Creations
Instagram: Rossemary's Creation
Metrini Weaver
(nee Simatupang)
Country: Indonesia
Website: Batax Bule
Facebook: Batax Bule Metrini
Instagram: Batax Bule
Tell us about yourself: Metrini Weaver (nee Simatupang) is a
fashion designer and the founder of Batax Bule Enterprises Inc., located
in Washington, D.C. The product brand is BATAX. She grew up in
northern Sumatra, Indonesia, in the city of Medan.
Metrini earned
an MS in Environmental Science from the University of Indonesia in
2009. After moving to the U.S. in 2009, she earned an MA in Sustainable
Development from the School of International Training in Washington
D.C. in 2013 and became certified in Fashion/Apparel Design at Moore
College of Art and Design in Philadelphia in 2016.
Metrini is
known for creating handmade, globally inspired fashion that incorporates
modern western styles with textiles and arts from her native Indonesia,
where she visits every year to personally source her materials. Her
background as a journalist allows her to build relationships with and
spotlight the fabric makers, seamstresses, artists, and manufacturers
who help produce her designs. Her frequent travels back to Indonesia
keep her connected to the country and people who inspire her.
Metrini's
line of dresses has been featured in New York, D.C., and Baltimore
Fashion Week, as well as many pop-ups. She and her husband live in
Washington, D.C., where she also works as a multimedia journalist and
environmental professional.
Saliha Halim
Country: Afghanistan
Instragam: salihaelbise
Starting from my childhood in Kabul, Afghanistan, I've had interest in the fashion industry and art. At the age of 13 when I came to the U.S. I couldn't understand or speak English which was a huge difficulty for me and effected my education. In my sophomore year of high school I decided to become an obstetrician and have art as a hobby and talent. Unfortunately my career path was not the right choice for me. I then decided to follow my talent and started expanding my skills after high school by becoming a hairdresser and a makeup artist. In 2019 I decided to follow my dream in becoming a designer and started creating patterns and sketching out my ideas on paper. My one goal was making my imagination, a reality.
In 2021 I started my own private boutique and found myself designing wedding dresses and evening gowns for all different types of people! On November 23, 2021 I had my grand opening for my home boutique called "Saliha Elbise" which means "dresses". Starting from my first collection; wedding dresses for brides, Saliha Elbise Boutique now has 4 different collections which are made in the Middle East and southwest Asia for everyone and anyone.
Tell us about your collection: Unique and extravagant displays of traditional bride and party dresses from the Middle East.
Yulia Semchenko
Country: Uzbekistan
Facebook: YUL d'UZ
Instagram: yul_d_uz_jackets
Etsy: YULdUzUSA
I was born and raised in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. I design and make clothing and accessories from a traditional handwoven
fabric called ikat. My business is called Yul d'UZ. Yulduz, which means star
in Uzbek.
I designed my first jacket in 2015 when we lived in Kyiv
with the help of a local seamstress. My ikat pieces immediately caught
people's attention. Relatives, friends, and even strangers on the
streets in Kyiv stopped me and asked me about my jackets. I soon had
relatives and friends from Austria to Colorado wearing ikat jackets.
When
I moved to the USA in 2017, I ordered more ikat from Uzbekistan and
made my first collection. In 2018 I registered my business and started
to promote it in the DMV area. I participated in many festivals and
fairs for the last 4 years and had my jackets in several stores in
Maryland and Washington DC.
When I produce and sell my clothes, I
want to tell the world about the traditions and culture of my country,
about people living in Uzbekistan, but also about the beauty and
richness of my land. I also want to give women the opportunity to be
elegant and stylish while sharing in a unique, centuries-old tradition
from Central Asia. Yul d'UZ's clients know that the coat they are
wearing is one of a kind and are able to share the history of the
material with friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues, and even
strangers who stop and admire.
Tell us about your collection: My jackets are a combination of a modern style and century old traditions from central Asia.
Isabel Zena, entrepreneurial mother crossing borders Isabel Zena, founder of Iza Desing Boutique and Fashion & Jewelry Designer by profession, is a hard-working woman who gradually began to forge her path in the workplace. However, he never lost sight of making his own dream come true, the long-awaited American dream. Therefore, different circumstances of life in his family environment would make him rethink the way he sees things, thus giving him the final impetus to launch an enterprise that would allow him to achieve his goals. He is clear that the path is not easy, but he considers that it is key that the entrepreneur learns to look for different resources and tools to build the business idea he has, as well as knowing in depth what he really likes, motivates and passionate, since, having this aspect clear, nothing is capable of discouraging this path and always looking to move forward until something wonderful is consolidated.
Isabel Zena Jewelry worn by models