Southern Design Week reaches its end with a show combining forces for the epitome of a fashion event.
On March 20 at the New Orleans’ Joy Theater, Southern Design Week will showcase multiple collections from The Wild Life Reserve’s incubator designers: NOLA GROWN, Ottilie Brodmann, Lady Ann, Onyii and Co. Wild Life Reserve owners Micaiah and Tabitha Bethune will also be showing their own collection along with designer Anne Cassidy of C. Major.
The Wild Life Reserve is a for profit space on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans that helps entrepreneurs succeed with his or her creative business.
Southern Design Week has paired itself with This is NOLA and Winter Circle Productions to make this event possible.
The Wild Life Reserve owner, brand curator and designer Tabitha said this event is an opportunity for its incubator designers to receive the exposure that they need.
“They have provided a stage, we have provided designers and I think that’s exactly what’s needed to get the industry to grow is to have everyone doing what their strengths are,” Tabitha said. “Our strength is bringing designers and helping designers to create collections, but they still need a way to showcase that and Southern Design Week has given them an opportunity to showcase.”
She said The Wild Life Reserve’s Incubator designers are designers who have applied and are accepted to work with them. After being chosen, they are helped with the processes of creating a successful business.
“Some designers need more than others,” Tabitha said. “Some designers just needed help when it came to sourcing products. Some designers needed help when it came to branding and helping them to build a better brand. And some just had an idea and a concept and wanted to make that happen.”
Tabitha said the incubator designers that are showing at Southern Design Week are the ones that are currently the strongest and were ready to show a fall/winter collection along with taking orders after the show.
Lady Ann is a brand designed for tall women. Tabitha said at first Lady Ann just wanted to be a clothing line, but when she and Lady Ann saw the market was calling for long inseam clothing, they jumped on it.
“Lady Ann is really helping women that need bottoms that fit their legs as well as tops that are long enough,” Tabitha said.
Managing director of Ottilie Brodmann, Elsa Brodmann, said her designs are inspired by the ‘60s with classic silhouettes, pastels and floral jewelry. She said the clothing primarily uses cotton but will also include gingham. When she uses fur, like mink and rabbit, it is all recycled pieces.
Tabitha said NOLA GROWN is a causal apparel line with t-shirts that pertain to the culture of the New Orleans area with sayings and designs. She said Onyii and Co. is a Texas-based brand whose line is a lover of fabric and textiles. As for her line with husband, Micaiah, it’s called “South Africa” and uses African prints with southern styles, textures and cuts.
Cassidy of C. Major is showing separately of The Wild Life Reserve and said while this is her fifth clothing collection, this is her first runway show.
She said her fall/winter 2015 line will consist of classic silhouettes with a modern twist. The garments will be in navy, red, ivory and gray with leather and beaded elements. Cassidy’s inspiration comes from her mother’s vintage clothes and from the historic culture and new energy of New Orleans.
“That’s kind of something that I try and achieve with C. Major,” Cassidy said. “Keeping it true to classic styles but won’t be outdated or too trendy but also adding something fresh to the appeal to hopefully everyone.”
The event will begin at 7 p.m.

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Courtesy of Sandra Aberg