Britney Spangenberg knows how to put in the work to accomplish her dreams.
She spent up to 12 hours a day in the MFD sewing rooms leading up to Omaha Fashion Week.
“It was just me and the custodian for most of the summer,” Spangenberg said.
The junior’s hard work paid off after being named the Emerging Designer Golden Sheers Winner.
“It felt good to be recognized for the time I put into my designs and know that I produced a good collection.”
A community of support
Fashion alumna Carlea Badolian wasn’t sure about entering into another fashion week since she had just graduated.
But she jumped on board when she found out a friend and fellow Bear, Spangenberg, would also be attending Omaha Fashion Week.
“I’m so glad I went,” Badolian said. “The community there was so close-knit, and I could tell they genuinely wanted to help us.”
The two designers supported one another through the process. Their collections were featured on different nights, so they helped each other prepare and even sat in the audience during each other’s show.
“It was so nice to have Carlea by my side,” Spangenberg said. “She has experience from doing other shows and fashion weeks. She was able to give me great advice.”
Carl’s Bad
Badolian is the designer behind her own line, Carl’s Bad. Her designs have now been featured at both Kansas City Fashion Week and Omaha Fashion Week.
At Omaha Fashion Week, Badolian received the Audere Showcase Emerging Designer Winner award for her feminine yet edgy designs.
“It’s really exciting to see that people are noticing my work,” Badolian said.
She graduated in May 2022 and now runs a small design studio out of her parents’ shop in West Plains, Missouri. She credits the merchandising and fashion design program at Missouri State for its nurturing environment.
“It’s a small program and we’re all really close,” she said. “Even after graduating I can still text my professors for advice on a piece I’m creating.”
Spangenberg’s endless possibilities
Spangenberg studies fashion with a minor in art. She also writes and serves as treasurer for Missouri State’s student-run fashion, beauty and culture publication, Sartorial Magazine.
Her time spent designing and sewing over the summer yielded an award-winning streetwear collection.
She received a cash prize of $500 in addition to gift cards for design supplies. She was also invited back to headline a future season in Omaha.
“I don’t know what I want to do in my career yet,” Spangenberg said. “But I think this experience has opened my mind to the possibility of creating my own brand and I’m excited to see what’s next.”
Spangenberg plans to get a jump start on her next collection and continue participating in fashion weeks.