FRISCOVANIA: Introducing the Designers

Friscovania is made up of many epic pieces, and one of those is the haunted fashion show! As you saw in Wednesday’s post where we introduced the models, stylists, and backstage team, there are literally dozens of people dedicating their time and energy in memory of Kelly Whaley and in support of City House and this very important cause.

When the Frights of the Round Table first dreamed up this event, we knew we wanted the fashion show to really blow people away, and the biggest part of that would be working alongside the best of the best designers with edgy, daring designs paired with dramatic hair and makeup looks.

That’s why the show itself will feature four of North Texas’s most famed designers who are ready to wow you with their latest creations, plus a special guest performance. At this very moment, an experienced team of experts are hard at work putting together each look—clothing, hair, and makeup—for over forty models who will walk the runway to the glam rock sounds of KISS.

We’re pleased to present each of the designers who’ll be part of the haunted fashion of Friscovania!

Nha Khanh

The creative director and co-founder of Nha Khanh is Khann Nguyen, whom we recently featured as our August Woman of the Month (be sure to check out both of her features here and here). Nha Khanh is known for its unique, eye-catching combination of the masculine and the feminine. You’ll find sharp angles and sleek lines next to delicate fabrics, lace, and tulle. In fact, our readers fell so much in love with her designs that we had over eleven hundred people enter our giveaway for the chance to take home one of her creations. Recently, one of Khanh’s custom designs was worn by Kate McKinnon when she won an Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy for her role in the Ghostbusters reboot (Southern Living covered the story here). We are so incredibly lucky to have gorgeous, ethereal Nha Khanh designs on our Friscovania runway!

Susie Straubmueller

Texas-based Susie Straubmueller launched her collection of exotic leather handbags in 2011. Inspired by her own jet-set lifestyle, the designer’s handbags come in timeless, minimalist shapes that easily take you from day to evening. But it’s the skin that makes them sexy! From python to ostrich to American alligator, her handbags come in every color—all sourced from the USA and Italy and handcrafted by leather masters with twenty-plus years of experience. Apart from making the perfect handbag, Susie’s mission is to support high-end fashion manufacturing in the USA, one artisan at a time. She’s already lent her designs to our KISS photo shoot (which you can see here), and we can’t wait to see her sexy handbags out on the main stage!

Double D Ranch

Since 1990, the women of Double D Ranch have been blazing a trail that turned a garage operation into a twenty-five-year company that’s able to hold its own in today’s world of fast-paced fashion. Creative Director, Cheryl McMullen, along with her team of designers, produce four collections a year, and each one includes luxurious fabrics adorned with brand staples like genuine silver buttons, hand embroidery, and beading—gorgeous details that have defined the brand for a quarter of a century. Their designs have been seen on the likes of Steven Tyler and Reba McEntire. But at the core of everything they’ve created lies their unconditional love of family, which is why we’re so lucky and honored to have them in our haunted fashion show!

Esé Azénabor

Esé Azénabor’s goal is to empower women through the art of fashion.

Nigerian-born Canadian transplant Esé Azénabor got to Texas as fast as she could. Her arrival on the fashion scene, however, required a few additional detours. In 2012, without any financial assistance, this self-taught designer traded predictable college life for the wild world of fashion with the launch of her self-titled Ready-to-Wear line. At her sewing machine, she conceptualized her fascination for heavy hand beading, crocheted lace, exquisite fabrics, and embroidery. Inspired by a combination of vintage, African, Egyptian, and contemporary European influences, she merged cultures to create the debut of her first haute couture Ready-to-Wear collection.

Esé has now debuted five collections including her Fall/Winter 2015 collection inspired by Henry VIII as well as her Spring/Summer 2016 Collection with a Garden of Eden theme during New York Fashion Week. We can’t wait to see her designs light up the Friscovania runway!

Studio 22

To kick off the haunted fashion show, there will be a special performance from Michelle Hafle and Sergey Korshunov of Studio 22. Studio 22 is the premier ballroom dance studio in the Dallas area, drawing top instructors to the Dallas area and students from all over the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The brainchild of Michelle and Sergey, Studio 22 is modeled after the most successful dance studio in Los Angeles and caters to beginning through competitive level students. Ranked Dallas A-List’s “Best Dance Studio” for three consecutive years (2010, 2011 & 2013) and a runner-up in 2014, featured in D Weddings, and a Programming Partner for Klyde Warren Park, Studio 22 is also the studio of choice for Dallas-area competitors on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. With over 100 group classes taught every month, as well as weekly social events, Studio 22 is committed to providing quality, affordable instruction in a fun, positive environment.

As you can see, there’s no greater place to be than Frsicovania on October 22nd. It may be hard to believe, but it’s just $10 to get in the door and see this incredible show. And if you want front-row seats, we have VIP options available, too, but time is running out! So purchase your tickets today because they’re going fast, fast, fast!

The entire event is from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with the live music and haunted fashion show portion from 7:00 p.m. to 10: 00 p.m. You can get more Friscovania details here!