THE 3rd ANNUAL MAKERS WAY RUNWAY SHOW
GLOBALLY INSPIRED, LOCALLY INNOVATED
RUNWAY SHOW: FRIDAY, APRIL 10 · 5:30-8:30PM
MARKETPLACE & PARTY: SATURDAY APRIL 11 · 3:30-8:30PM
The Maker’s Way Runway Show celebrates a dynamic group of designers whose work is shaped by a range of cultural backgrounds, creative traditions, and lived experiences. This year’s featured designers have connections to Nigeria, Vietnam, Rwanda, Ghana, and Maine, reflecting the rich mix of perspectives helping to shape style, artistry, and innovation here in Maine and beyond.
Ticket Price:
$55 General Admission
$45 for StreamState Members
Upgrade to Front Row Seats for $15 (only 20 available)
Ticket includes:
- Complimentary Pass to Maker’s Way Market Place & Runway Party
- Free Parking
- 1 month Free Membership StreamState.TV
Friday, April 10 | 5:30-8:30PM
O’Maine Studios
54 Danforth Street, Portland, ME 04101
Join us for an evening of fashion, creativity, and community as the runway comes alive with bold design, distinctive stories, and original collections that bridge local expression with global influence.
A Marketplace That Becomes a Party
Maker’s Way Marketplace & Runway Party
Saturday, April 11 | 3:30 PM–8:30 PM | O’Maine Studios
Ticket Includes:
-
Free Parking
-
1 month Membership to StreamState.TV
Meet the designers behind handcrafted and manufactured apparel, jewelry, and accessories at this vibrant social shopping experience. Browse unique collections, connect with makers, and discover pieces that reflect both craftsmanship and personal style.
As the evening unfolds, the marketplace transforms into a runway party, with DJ Matt Perry setting the vibe while models showcase featured clothing and accessory collections on the runway.
Ticket Price:
$10 General Admission
Free for StreamState Members
Designers And Makers Joining Us Include:
“Albert” Duc Nhan
Vietnam-born fashion designer “Albert” Duc Nhan is an American entrepreneur based in Maine, where he operates retail and tailoring shops in Biddeford and Kennebunk Lower Village.
A master tailor with an international following, Albert’s journey bridges post-war Vietnam and coastal New England through craftsmanship, resilience, and design. In post-war Vietnam during the 1980s, Albert first learned to sew out of necessity, making clothing for himself and his family. His natural talent quickly became evident, and demand for his work grew. When Vietnam reopened to international business in the 1990s, foreign visitors arriving in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) discovered Albert’s exceptional skill, refined fashion sense, and fluency in English and French.
As creative director, he led product design for U.S. wholesale distribution, building a client list that included Saks Fifth Avenue, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Crate & Barrel. The export business flourished for decades before evolving into retail. In 2020, Wooven opened its first storefront in Biddeford, Maine, followed by a second location in Kennebunk Lower Village in 2024. Today, the Kennebunk shop features an expanded collection of Albert’s original clothing and accessories, many created in his on-site tailoring workshop. Albert was honored in 2023 by Greenlight Maine’s Elevating Voices series for his contributions to Maine’s diverse and creative business community.
J.M. Syron
J.M. Syron’s couture intends to re-define our place in the twenty-first century, a place where we each choose a life of love, and conquer the ‘power-over’ societal structure. J.M. envisions a future where a non-binary world is free of Racism, Sexism and Homophobia.
The current traditional model of relationships is defined by power plays and politics, and is echoed in the way we choose to clothe ourselves. When we choose to change our outer appearance we begin to change the traditional societal models and beliefs that bind our lives; stripping away the strangle-hold of the traditional patriarchal world definition.
J.M’s couture is designed to inspire you to define your own True Self for yourself – find strength, courage and the resolve to realize our heaven on Earth through One Love.
Dorcass
Busola Olagunju is a Nigerian-born, Maine-based fashion designer, entrepreneur, and mentor whose artistry seamlessly blends cultural heritage with contemporary elegance. As the founder of Luxeby Dorcass, she specializes in bridal, custom couture, prom, red-carpet fashion, alterations, and exquisite children’s ball gowns. Her designs are distinguished by intricate craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a deep appreciation for individuality and self-expression.
Hailing from Nigeria, Busola’s passion for fashion was nurtured from an early age, inspired by her mother’s love for textiles and traditional attire. Determined to perfect her craft, she independently mastered the art of fashion design, eventually establishing herself as a leading creative force in the industry.Her work incorporates rich African influences, including:
✨ Bold Ankara prints
✨ Aso-Oke fabrics
✨ Hand-beaded embellishments
✨ Intricate embroidery
By fusing these traditional elements with modern couture techniques, Busola creates stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces that resonate with cultural pride and timeless sophistication.
Busola’s work is deeply rooted in sustainability and inclusivity, ensuring that every piece tells a unique story while upholding ethical fashion practices. Whether through elegant wedding gowns, statement red-carpet ensembles, or meticulously crafted alterations, her designs celebrate diversity and self-expression, making every client feel empowered and confident.
Beyond Fashion: A Multifaceted Entrepreneur
Busola’s creative impact extends beyond fashion design. She has built a thriving brand ecosystem that spans multiple industries, including:
Event Planning – @eventsbydorcass
Makeup Artistry – @makeupbydorcass
African Cuisine – @dorcassafricancuisine
Ready-to-Wear Fashion – @dorcassrtw
Busola’s journey is a powerful testament to the resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women. As she continues to expand Luxeby Dorcass, she remains dedicated to elevating luxury fashion, honoring her cultural heritage, and creating meaningful impact through design, mentorship, and philanthropy.
Discover her work at dorcass.com.
Josiane Fashion House
Josiane Fashion House (JFH) is a Black-owned, African-American woman-owned business founded by Josiane, who hails from Rwanda. After relocating to Glasgow, Scotland, in 2015, and later moving to the USA in 2019, Josiane decided to pursue her passion for sewing. During the pandemic, as a stay-at-home mother, she took sewing classes to provide for her family. In 2021, she graduated from Common Thread of Maine in Westbrook and went on to found Josiane Fashion House.
JFH specializes in creating vibrant, custom women’s and children’s clothing using African print fabrics, a tribute to Josiane’s rich cultural heritage, alongside other diverse fabrics. The business also offers accessories and alteration services to cater to the needs of the Maine community. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and cultural expression, Josiane Fashion House aims to bring a piece of African culture to the United States through beautiful, bespoke fashion.
Akakpo and Co.
Every item Ebenezer Akakpo designs carries pieces of his cultural history, skills and techniques of his education, and the passion he carries for promoting social justice. An artist originally from Ghana and now based in the United States, Ebenezer integrates his cultural heritage with contemporary design in jewelry, apparel, and home accessories. Educated in Florence, Italy, and the U.S., Akakpo’s approach merges traditional Ghanaian symbols with modern manufacturing techniques. Akakpo’s work is a testament to his belief in the power of design to bridge cultures and communities.
Katie Rose Champlin
Coming soon!
Katie Rose Champlin
From Freeport, Maine, Katie transitioned from a career as a circus performer to become a designer. She channels her passion for performance arts into distinctive apparel and soft goods for her Flowbot brand.
Her circus background inspired her to pursue costume design, earning a BFA from Maine College of Art and Design. Katie then worked at a top NYC fashion studio before returning to Portland, Maine in early 2024 to rejoin the local design scene.
Katie draws inspiration from the playful world of the circus, combining vibrant colours, striking images, rich textures, and bold shapes. Her Flowbot collection features one-of-a-kind upcycled items, a special selection of vintage circus t-shirts, and, her own original designs showcasing custom prints.
Katie is enthusiastic about Maine’s fashion scene, noting that while it’s small, it remains vibrant and full of potential for growth.
Meet the Runway Models:
Caron Bryan (4th from right) Port City Models wearing the Luxe by Dorcass Collectionn Designer (4th from left)
Photo Credit :Kim Chapman
Port City Models & Talent
CARON BRYAN : Caron Bryan, who started her career as a Model, is the founder of Port City Models & Talent representing Models, Actors, TV/Film Personalities and Social Media Influencers for print, runway, TV, film and digital ad campaigns, both nationally and internationally. Caron has booked Models for LL Bean, Gap, Timberland, Nike, Cosmopolitan, Elle and GQ magazines and for the filming of Taylor Swift’s music video ‘Mine’ in Kennebunkport in 2010.
Caron splits her time between Portland and New York and was named one of ‘Portland’s Most Influential Women’ for the numerous fashion related national/international projects and ad campaign opportunities that she sourced and booked for her professional Maine and New England-based Port City Models which contributed to putting Portland on the national/international Fashion/Modeling landscape.
Caron was Fashion Merchandising Program Director & Instructor at the college level, has produced Fashion Shows and been a Fashion Columnist and ‘on air’ judge for first round competitions for TV’s ‘Top Model’, ‘American Idol’ and national model/talent competitions. Being the Mom of two sons, Caron strives to empower the Models & Actors whom she represents to fulfill their highest potential, encouraging them to celebrate their talents, follow their dreams passionately and to reach for the stars!
Questions?
Please email streamstatetv@gmail.com