Alex Esmonde, Buffalo native and founder of swimwear brand Swym, is showcasing her newest collection at the inaugural Fig Fashion Show. The spark of inspiration to begin Swym started when Alex recognized the practicality of men’s swimwear, which almost always boast pockets. It dawned upon Alex that women’s swimsuits should also enjoy this added convenience. After all, it can be risky leaving one’s valuables unattended at the beach. To address this inconvenience, Alex ingeniously designed sleek and discreet pockets within the swimsuits to hold personal items. Since Alex did not have a background in fashion she took it upon herself…
Author: Devin Feeley
Clothing designer, Anna Dusza, designs consciously created clothing. Anna is a passionate advocate for sustainability. She diligently saves all of her scrap fabric, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and can be utilized in future projects. In addition, she chooses to work with natural fibers and secondhand fabrics, aiming to minimize her environmental footprint. Being a proactive designer towards responsible fashion, Anna Dusza, creates garments that are designed to last from season to season. Her design style is often experimental with fun fabrics and prints, elevating the typical ready-to-wear styles. Along with being a designer in Buffalo, Anna feels that…
Julia Scott Papiernik, owner of fashion brand Scott Free, is preparing for an explosive comeback in the Buffalo fashion scene. Julia’s passion for fashion design started at a young age, as she eagerly delved into a world of creativity. Starting in middle school, she began curating mini collections of fashion cut-outs and organizing them into sketchbooks, immersing herself in the art of design. Fueled by her love for fashion, Julia enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology for a two-year program in fashion design. During this time, she took the opportunity to expand her knowledge by attending weekend classes in…
Austin Guyett, creator and founder of BAG or By A Guy, draws inspiration from his present experiences, passions, and mix of art, music and his innate authenticity to shape his innovative garment designs. Skilled in custom handcrafted garments, embroidery, and screen printing. Austin’s approach is marked by his constant curiosity, as he never limits himself and actively learns new techniques and skills to utilize in his designs. Possessing a contagiously dedicated and innovative mindset, he fully immerses himself in a creative environment, not only as the owner of his own fashion brand, but also in his role as a Design Operations…
Utilizing her mastery in the understanding of the fashion industry, fashion designer Ali Eagen has opened her own custom bridal shop, taught at Buffalo State University, and co-founded a bridal organization called Buffalo Indie Weddings. Ali’s journey into the world of fashion commenced when she began working at Abercrombie & Fitch as a sweater designer following her graduation from the esteemed Fashion Institute of Technology in 2007. After realizing that the corporate fashion industry did not suit her, Ali dreamed of creating a space to express her true artistic freedom. In order to pursue this ambition, she moved back to…
Since 2018, Ashton Warner has embarked upon creating a brand that produces high quality garments designed to be worn from season to season. ARW, founded by Ashton, focuses on the art of a well constructed garment, while maintaining a simplistic silhouette to flatter any and all body types. From concept to product, her designs are all made in Buffalo, NY at her home studio. Before ARW was established, Ashton studied apparel design at Buffalo State University. With dreams of becoming involved in the apparel industry, she embarked on a journey to New York City. After being engulfed in such a…
The multitalented and creative, Richie Hunter, owner of Richie Hunter Customs, is a milliner in Buffalo specializing in custom hats and leatherwork. Before jump-starting his career in Buffalo, Richie studied industrial design and minored in accessory design at SCAD. Soon after school, he relocated to Brooklyn to master the art of millinery and organize art and music events. After living in New York, he returned to Buffalo, his hometown, to resume his career and reach new audiences with his designs. Richie Hunter Customs focuses on the goal of creating a product that truly represents the wearer and brings out their…