Aspiring fashion professionals will have the unique opportunity to explore different career paths within the fashion industry, from apparel design and visual merchandising to retail. The objective is to support and expose those interested to valuable resources, enhance skill sets and provide career insight. By providing a platform for learning and growth, NOFW continues to play a critical role in shaping the future of the fashion industry in New Orleans and beyond.
Cost: $85 (includes ticket to Friday Runway Shows)
Guest Speakers
Tracee Dundas
Tracee Dundas is the Founder and Executive Producer of New Orleans Fashion Week. She has been a fashion pioneer since receiving her degree in fashion and apparel design from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Her entrepreneurial zest began shortly thereafter when she opened ABOUTFACES Model & Talent Management. Dundas has continued to push the New Orleans fashion industry forward, re-establishing the local chapter of Fashion Group International after the organization disbanded due to Hurricane Katrina.
As Creative Director of New Orleans Fashion Week, she has successfully created a platform and raised attention to the Gulf Coast fashion and beauty industry.
In addition to overseeing NOFW annual production, Dundas is a fashion correspondent for FOX8 News, freelance fashion editorial stylist, and fashion influencer.
Pedram Taheri
Pedram Pasha Taheri, the designer behind the brand Pedram Couture, has managed to break through the concrete barrier of gown culture by embracing couture’s core principle of exhaustively careful construction
After growing up in Iran, Taheri emigrated to the United States after his father died. He studied interior design at LSU, where he earned his degree in 2006. He transitioned from interior design to fashion because of his passion for dressing women beautifully. Now, with celebrity clients worldwide, he continues to maintain his atelier in New Orleans at Canal Place, where he works with clients to design one-of-a-kind fashion couture, gowns, and bridal dresses.
Sean Michael Frazier
Sean Michael Frazier is an internationally published model and CEO of SMF Global Consultants, a full-service management, public relations and image consulting firm. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Frazier has studied at both Xavier University and Southern University. His natural ability to connect with people attracted the attention of LA Models and shifted his career path to pursue a calling in both modeling, acting and fashion styling.
Sean’s experience in the industry led him to work creative director and branding specialist for firms internationally. He has worked with brands such as Nordstrom, Amazon.com, The Grammy's Foundation, Hyundai Motor Co., and Elie Youssef Couture of Beirut, to launch the new RTW division in the USA. Other projects include Beyoncé, Wu-Tang Clan, NBA players and socialites. Sean is sought as an influencer in fashion and an expert in brand strategy. The SMF Global brand has offices in Times Square, New York, The Miami Design District, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Aly Clouse
Always had her eyes on working in the fashion industry. While attending Loyola University where she received a B.A. degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations, Aly joined New Orleans Fashion Week team as a Production Assistant. She played an intricate role in the overall production of the weeklong event, including coordinating with designers, models, and team members, event logistics, overseeing communications, and creating digital materials for marketing. Shortly after graduating from Loyola, she joined tasc Performance team as a Digital Content Creator and is now Art Director for the brand