African American Designers: Bryan K Osburn

Designer Bryan K Osburn lingers mostly in the European tradition of couture. His passionately designed collection have clean, classic lines.

Originally from Chicago where he got his start in fashion, Bryan moved to New York where he worked on 7th Avenue and in the bridal district. His first job in the bridal industry was with Vera Wang. Soon after, he went on to work for: Galina, Jim Hjelm, Lazaro, Paula Varsalona, and Alvina Valenta. He has a ball gown on permanent display at “The City of New York Museum” for “The History of Fashion Exhibit”.

In 1993, Bryan went on his own to design under the name “Bryan K Osburn Collection”. He sold bridal gowns to high-end specialty boutiques throughout New York City, made custom designs for private clientele and designed for celebrities: Miss America (1994) Kenya Moore, Natalie Cole, Phyliss Hyman, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, opera singer Kathleen Battle, actresses Sheri Headley, (Coming to America,) Valerie Pittford (Half and Half), and Erica Alexander (The Cosby Show).

In 2000, Bryan moved to Province, France, where he spent a year and a half designing, being inspired and participating in fashion shows for international interior designer Paul Mathieu. From there, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. While living in Charlotte, Bryan became the in-house designer for various bridal boutiques and then ventured out on his own designing for private clients and creating custom gowns.

With over 25 years of custom design experience, Bryan is back in Chicago doing what he loves – designing custom made bridal gowns and evening wear. Returning to Chicago has reignited his love affair with the people and places that originally inspired his dreams of becoming a designer. His current collection may be found at “Soliliquy Bridal Couture” in Herndon, VA. (www.soliloquybridal.com). His “loft” studio is located in West Town-west of Chicago, IL

Contact:
S. Yan (HK28) – Manager
(312) 961-8822
syan.bko@gmail.com




























 

African American Designers :Amsale Bridal Fall 2013 & Spring-Summer 2014

Fall 2013

 

Amsale Aberra (born 1954) is an Ethiopian born American designer and entrepreneur. Her main field of design is in couture wedding gowns, and her flagship store is located on Madison avenue in New York City. In addition to her flagship location, her gowns are also sold at fine bridal boutiques such as Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus  She is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) and a Trustee of the Fashion Institute of Technology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring-Summer 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



African American Designers: Cassandra Bromfield

Creative and passionate are words that come to mind when describing Cassandra Bromfield. Specializing in Custom Designed Wedding Gowns and Social Occasion Dresses. These one-of-a-kind pieces are simple yet elegant. Clients are women who want style, artistic flavor, and quality. Cassandra will listen, in order to interpret, and create the clients signature style. Patches of silk delicate antique laces and buttons, intricate beadwork and hand painted designs are all a part of Cassandra’s personal touch.

 

Gowns have been featured in Woman’s Wear Daily, Brides magazine, Essence, The New York Times, Cranes, and more (see my Press Page)

Cassandra’s potpourri of ideas presents a demure soft and subtle cultural touch in her eclectic style. She strongly believes in the concept of the ceremony and she refers to her multi-cultural art book collections for inspiration along with visiting many museums.

     The fresh approach which draws a wide variety of clients including celebrities such as Desiree Underwood (wife of Blair Underwood) and Ruby Dee, legendary actress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

African American Designers: Kimma Wreh - TeKay Designs

DESIGNERS BIO                   www.tk-designs.com

 was born and raised in Liberia, West Africa and travelled to the US in 1988 after political unrest spurred the transition to the United States. Kimma immediately pursued her educational goals receiving a Bachelors Degree from Howard University in Washington D.C.

 

After completing her MBA in 1998, Kimma embraced her American dream when she founded TeKay Designs in 1998 with her sister. Always having a love of fashion and passion for ethnic, Kimma developed TeKay Designs to cater to the markets of Ethnic wear, including men’s, women’s, bridal, children’s wear, and accessories, and expanded to Maternity Bridal wear.

More recently, she was pivotal in adding Traditional Bridal wears as well as unique and delicately hand crafted jewelry to TeKay Designs portfolio.
Never one for mediocrity, Wreh’s pieces appeal to those who like elegance with a contemporary twist. Each piece is made individually with a limited quantity produced each year, much to the pleasure of her clients who crae unique items.

TeKay Designs is an international fashion house with headquarters in Houston Texas. TeKay designs and manufactures unique Bridal, Formal, and Ethnic wear, Accessories and its recently added jewelry line. The Bridal collection includes ethnic bridal, modern (traditional) bridal, and maternity bridal. The Ethnic line carries designs that embrace cultures in Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Europe. We showcase fabrics and fashions influenced by various ethnic groups around the world by infusing cultural elements into current and historical creations.

In addition to embracing the cultures of these regions, it is also our goal to support the individuals who create these fabulous textiles and materials. TeKay is committed to Fair Trade practices as well as supporting our staff in Ghana whom we consider as extended family. TeKay Designs manufactures its products in the US and Ghana.

 With over 14 years of history, TeKay Designs has been the subject of many notable interviews and features in magazines like The Knot, Bridal Guide Magazine, and the New York Times. Designing high quality products is our pledge to our customers. Offering a look of luxury at affordable prices, our fashionable collection of unique ethnic wear and contemporary pieces has endeared Tekay Designs to fashion gurus, creating a fabulous fit for every customer and making the bride’s dream come true.