2026 Headline Designer
Originally from New York City, Joan Madison is an award-winning fashion designer and founder of Joan’s Bridal Couture, bringing over 20 years of expertise in bridal and special occasion design. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and Syracuse University, Joan refined her craft in New York’s Garment District, working with renowned brands including Liz Claiborne, Ellen Tracy, and Ann Taylor. With experience connected to Project Runway and recognition as a recipient of the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Raymond J. Hanley Award, Joan continues to inspire through her artistry and timeless elegance as the 2026 Fashion Week Columbus Headliner Designer.
Instagram: @joansbridal | www.joanmadison.com
Australian-born designer Fiona Shaw is the creative force behind Designs by FIONA, a couture label blending vintage elegance with contemporary sophistication. Now based in Ohio, Fiona brings a lifelong passion for fashion, expert craftsmanship, and international modeling experience to her designs. As the owner of Sew Threaded, she specializes in bridal, prom, and formalwear while creating original runway collections showcased at Cincinnati Fashion Week and Dayton’s Clash Fashion Show. Inspired by storytelling, individuality, and timeless beauty, Fiona creates garments that empower women to feel confident, elegant, and unforgettable.
Instagram: @saucy_aussie_girl | Website: www.fiona.fashion
Originally from Algeria, Khedidja Ouheb is the founder and creative visionary behind Louiza Couture, a luxury fashion brand celebrating her indigenous North African Amazigh heritage. Holding an MFA in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University and an Executive MBA from George Mason University, she blends cultural storytelling with contemporary couture. Launched at DC Fashion Week in 2026, Louiza Couture transforms ancestral symbols into elegant, handcrafted designs through intricate embroidery and gold-work. Each creation preserves generations of tradition while bringing Amazing artistry to the modern runway.
Instagram: @louiza_collection
Jenna Champer is the founder and creative visionary behind JennaPii Apparel, a fashion label breathing new life into vintage textiles and forgotten designs. A graduate of Columbus College of Art & Design, Jenna transforms fabrics from the 1960s through 1980s into contemporary, one-of-a-kind creations inspired by historical fashion. Her work has appeared at Fashion Week Columbus and numerous independent showcases. With a passion for sustainability, craftsmanship, and timeless design, Jenna celebrates the beauty of the past while creating fashion for the future.
Instagram: @jennapiiapparel
Adam Turns is the creative director and founder of Muva Earnesty, a Columbus-based androgynous streetwear brand redefining fashion through self-expression and individuality. A self-taught designer and multidisciplinary artist, Adam creates primarily hand-sewn, upcycled garments that blend masculine silhouettes with feminine details. With over six years of experience in marketing, visual storytelling, and retail innovation, Adam transforms fashion into immersive artistic experiences. Through collections including BLOODLINE, LINEAGE, and DYNASTY: Street Monarchs, Muva Earnesty celebrates individuality, challenges convention, and fosters community through fashion, music, and performance.
Instagram: @muva_earnesty
Columbus native Akili Cooper is the visionary designer behind Jahi by Akili, a luxury fashion label embodying elegance, sensuality, and empowerment. Debuting his first collection at just 16, Akili became the youngest designer to showcase on the Fashion Week Columbus main stage in 2010. A largely self-taught couturier, he has presented over 60 shows, including New York Fashion Week and Greater Cleveland Fashion Week. Beyond the runway, Akili founded the Jahi Designer Brunch, supporting aspiring designers through mentorship, creative collaboration, and scholarships.
Instagram: @JahiByAkili
Candace E. Walker is the founder and creative visionary behind ELAINA B., a Columbus-based luxury fashion label blending artistic expression with modern sophistication. With over 15 years of industry experience, Candace combines technical precision, innovative textiles, and couture craftsmanship to create sculptural yet wearable designs. Since relaunching ELAINA B. in 2022, her work has appeared at Fashion Week Columbus and on WOSU’s Broad & High. A 2026 Greater Columbus Arts Council grant recipient, Candace continues to redefine contemporary luxury through timeless elegance, dimensional artistry, and thoughtful design.
Instagram: @elainabltd
Renowned fashion designer and master tailor Malcolm Staples has built a distinguished career redefining sophistication through custom menswear and womenswear. Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, and based in Washington, D.C., Staples founded Malcolm’s Custom Made to Fit in 2009, establishing a brand celebrated for its impeccable tailoring, timeless elegance, and contemporary style.
Inspired by his grandfather's impeccable sense of fashion and the classic sophistication of the 1950s, Staples has dressed an impressive clientele spanning professional athletes, entertainers, media personalities, and business leaders. His designs have appeared at New York Fashion Week and D.C. Fashion Week, while his work has been featured in publications including Essence, Black Enterprise, and Modern Luxury.
Brittany Heidman is the creative force behind Bea Hive, a whimsical fashion brand celebrating inclusivity, imagination, and self-expression. A graduate of North Coast College, Brittany draws inspiration from fantasy literature, films, and television, transforming imaginative worlds into wearable art. Her latest collection takes inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons, blending fantasy elements with everyday fashion. Having showcased at FWCurve and independent markets, Brittany believes fashion should be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, race, size, or ability, while encouraging individuality and creativity.
Instagram: @beahiveshop | www.beahiveshop.com/
Cleveland-based designer Darcia Boyd is the creative force behind Darcia Vega, a bold streetwear brand celebrating individuality, transformation, and self-expression. Beginning her fashion journey in 2017 with a plus-size boutique, Darcia evolved into a self-taught designer specializing in custom cut-and-sew pieces and upcycled garments. Her work has appeared in fashion showcases across thecountry, including Crusade of Curves and the Threads Streetwear Fashion Showcase. Inspired by personal growth and life experiences, Darcia creates one-of-a-kind designs that empower individuals to embrace their confidence, authenticity, and personal style.
Instagram: @vegabydarcia
Cleveland-born designer Tiffany Carpenter is the founder and creative visionary behind Livnart, a faith-inspired fashion brand blending fine art, wearable art, and sustainable design. A self-taught artist and fashion educator, Tiffany transforms personal experiences into bold statement pieces that celebrate individuality, confidence, and self-expression. Since launching Livnart in 2017, she has showcased collections at numerous fashion events, including the National Urban League Conference. Through her designs and work teaching the next generation, Tiffany inspires others to embrace their unique beauty and recognize themselves as living works of art.
Instagram: @Livnartllc
Meet Valerie Mayén, the Latinx woman behind Yellowcake and a strong supporter of our local community. Our team is diverse and bold, mostly women, people of color, and LGBTQ members. We make high-quality, handmade clothes in the Midwest for all people and body types. Each piece is carefully made with great detail, quality, and classic style, helping you show your unique look with confidence. Valerie’s love for fashion grew despite a strict upbringing. She studied illustration at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Otis College of Art and Design, then turned to fashion. With limited funds, she learned to make clothes, sold her designs on Etsy, and gained international fame through Project Runway.
Instagram: @yellowcakeshop | Website: yellowcakeshop.com