Fashion Career Day

Heidi D’Amelio

Heidi D’Amelio is a prominent social media personality, entrepreneur, and mother to two of the most influential content creators, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio. Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Heidi has deep roots in the state, and she brings a strong sense of family values and Southern charm to her public image. Before her family rose to fame, Heidi built a career as a fitness trainer and was actively involved in community activities.

Heidi D’Amelio co-founded D’Amelio Footwear, a stylish and versatile shoe brand that reflects her love for both fashion and comfort. Launched in 2023, the brand offers a range of trendy yet practical shoes designed to empower women with confidence and ease, from casual wear to more polished looks. Each collection embodies Heidi’s personal style, blending elegance with everyday functionality, making D’Amelio Footwear a go-to choice for women seeking both fashion-forward and wearable designs.

Pedram Pasha 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 to dress 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 Nordstorm,  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, Public Relations, Aly joined New Orleans Fashion Week team as an Production Assistant. She played an intricate role in the overall production of the weeklong event, including coordinated 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

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 entrepreneur zest began shortly thereafter when she opened ABOUTFACES Model & Talent Management. Dundas has continued to push the New Orleans fashion industry forward, reestablishing 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.