Nolcha Future Females of Fashion Show Celebrates Intl. Women's Day

On March 8, The Nolcha Shows, a leading award-winning event held during New York Fashion Week for global independent fashion designers, plans a celebration of International Women's Day by highlighting female fashion designers that are rising stars of the industry with their social and cultural goals; specially with a focus on their ethical fashion brands that are Made in USA�that hit the runway this season.
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British native Kerry Bannigan, Co-Founder of the Nolcha Shows, is a trailblazing entrepreneur building pioneering events and initiatives in fashion and retail to drive economic change, impact small business and spearhead social good. Kerry's diverse acumen and vision has led her to an active role in executing government creative initiatives with the United Kingdom, Turkey, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; including selected by the UK Trade and Investment with the British Embassy to forefront the Fashion is GREAT campaign with Harvey Nichols Istanbul and recently produced events for the Global Sustainable Development Goals at the General Assembly.
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"I meet exceptionally talented female fashion designers every season and it is a privilege to provide a platform for these independent fashion brands," said Bannigan. "They are ambitious, resilient and committed to forging forward towards success. In the fashion industry this takes focus, dedication and constant striving against a lot of competition and obstacles. Mimi Wong, Jeanette Svensk Li and Evelyn Luna�are�shining examples of some of the female rising stars of the fashion industry today."

Evelyn Luna | Acid NYC

Evelyn Luna was born in the Bronx, New York City. She studied the H.S. of Art & Design and received her BFA at New York's Parsons School of Design. For 13 years she was a key member of Diane Von Furstenberg's original design staff that re-launched the DVF brand and its myriad of successful designs. She subsequently became Director of DVF's textile dept. In 2003, she ventured on to become Textile Product Manager at Victoria's Secret lingerie. Before long Evelyn began consulting independently for DVF, VS Swimwear and other designers in the fashion and home furnishing industry. Today Evelyn runs Acid NYC; a Made in NYC fashion brand offering modern silhouettes with vibrantly designed museum quality prints, smart, sexy, and unique pieces that will take you from daytime to evening.

Mimi Wong | Minan Wong

Audrey Hepburn stole her heart at nine years-old. Inspired by her confidence and feminine strength, Mimi drew pictures of fashion she saw on movie stars and beautiful women. Growing up in New York, she dreamt of clothes she couldn't have and fell in love with Chanel, Prada, Gucci, and Valentino. Mimi sketched her way to FIT, where she designed a jacket made from a recycled IKEA rug and won the UNESCO and Felissimo International Competition; which led to her designs being shown at the Louvre in Paris and covered by Women's Wear Daily and The Daily News. A career working for her idol Donna Karan and Eileen Fisher led Mimi to launching her own ethical fashion collection that exudes a vibrant, youthful aura and can support the strength of a woman. Designed in NYC and Made in USA the brand uses�eco-friendly elements like organic cotton, Tencel, recycled wool and recycled PET. All pieces are made in the US for fair wages and support the local economy, so customers can look great without feeling guilty.

Jeanette Svensk Li | Cute Like Mad

With a visual focus and a determined fashion�sense since youth, Jeanette has a multifaceted background in technology, Pilates, as well as in the fashion industry. Born in Sweden, Jeanette has also lived and studied in London and San Francisco. Cute Like Mad is a Made in NYC brand inspired by "quaintrelle" - a woman who emphasizes a life of passion expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life's pleasures. The designer is proud to use natural materials and do her part for the environment as well as encourage fair-trade and jobs in her local economy.