Jackie Almeter

Bio: Hey! My name is Jackie Almeter, I am 16 years old, I am a Junior in high school and I have been designing and making clothing for a couple of years. I started making jewelry when I was 10 years old and began selling it in boutiques in North Carolina under the label, JRA 12, when I was twelve. I am now focused on clothing design. I started by teaching myself how to sew,  but when my grandmother visits she provides the structured lessons. She is a  fussy meticulous seamstress who taught me patience, precision, not to  cut corners and that quality work is all in the detail. Last summer I spent a month at the New York Fashion Institute to advance my skills in both Fashion Illustration and Manual Pattern Making. It was an incredible experience to be taught by the professionals who work with the world’s top designers. Redress Raleigh is my first clothing show and eco-friendly design will be a challenge and an opportunity. Environmentally friendly clothing is concept grounded in protecting the Earth and I am thrilled I am taking part in the beginning stages of this movement.

Sincerely, Jackie

www.vickischool.etsy.com

Payton-Alexis Brown

Bio: My passion for sewing started when I was eight years old and I received my first sewing machine for Christmas.  My love, or addiction some might say, to clothing must be an innate quality since I’ve never been able to shake the habit. Almost 12 years later, I have now transplanted myself to the high country of Boone, North Carolina where I study Apparel and Textiles at Appalachian State University and spend every remaining minute sewing my life away.  Since I started my business two years ago, I have been dedicated to using pre-existing fabrics, unique vintage finds, and eco-friendly materials whenever I can get my hands on them. Consequently, many of my afternoons are spent at the local thrift stores. I love the history of vintage clothing, the stories I imagine of who might have worn them, and transforming them into unique pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind. Each year I keep on, it seems the business does too and then some with each happy customer. I love what I do and I love the customers I get to please, it’s as simple as that! I look forward to debuting my first runway collection in my home town with Redress Raleigh. This year, I hope my collection proves that anything can be 100% recycled, from a basic T-shirt to a formal gown.

www.allthatsgoodapparel.etsy.com // Photo courtesy of Jenny Logan

Johanna Ely

Bio: Good Girls Studio is the home to Johanna Ely’s revamped vintage jewelry line. What began as a slight obsession with salvaged treasures is now a full time endeavor of recreating the past into modern wearable baubles! Each of her eco-friendly designs are One of a Kind and turn even the baddest girl into a Good Girl!

Nicole Falchi and Daniella Wartner

 Falchi Bio: After studying fashion for the past 3 years both locally and in Florence, Italy, I have evolved my design ideas and overall concept of everyday clothing into something artistic and innovative. I like to consider my own personal style as an eclectic one and have taken inspiration from a plethora of artists and fashion icons including: Jolis Paons, Taschen, Hila Rawet Karni, Banksy and Edie Sedgwick (to name a few). I’m so excited to start the creation process (with Daniella) and be a part of Redress Raleigh, I look forward to showcasing a line that transforms traditional and non-traditional items into chic, wearable art!

Wartner Bio: My name is Daniella Wartner and I have recently graduated from N.C. State in Fashion Development and Management.  I have a passion for fashion and integrate my love for art within it. I am inspired by the world and all that it involves! I appreciate and accept that what surrounds me.  Acceptance is key, and revolving within those limits.  I plan to continue my education in grad school next August to advance my discoveries in styling.

Hila Rawet Karni

Keira L. Flood

Bio: Hello World! My name is Keira Lashan Flood and I am 20 years old. I am a junior at Meredith College where my major is Fashion Merchandising and Design-Design Concentration and my minor is Marketing.

I am from Ahoskie, N.C. where I was born and raised but I have been living in the Raleigh/Durham area for some time now. I discovered my interest in designing at the age of 12 when I began to develop my first collection of sketches in a blue notebook that I still have and use to this day. At first my mother only taught me to hand stitch and hand sew things that needed mending and then I started cutting up and recreating my old clothes to make new ones. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be in Redress Raleigh this year for the first time! I love the idea of taking everyday items found in the home and using them to construct garments. Fashion can come from anything around us with the right ideas and proper direction and execution. That is why for my collection I am using some of my grandmother’s old curtains to construct my pieces. Instead of throwing out things when they get old we can use them to make new items that can be useful to us. It is my responsibility to use my creativity to come up with new ways in which I can help protect my planet by being less wasteful and environmentally conscious.