Meet Jaden Jacobson (@jadenjacobson) the designer behind Life of Us Clothing (@lifeofusclothing)

“We won’t live here forever, but we can create something that will. Crafting apparel to serve individuals who wear it as a canvas for self-expression, a means of communication, and a symbol of shared experiences. Our creations are more than just garments; every piece we create is a work of art, meticulously designed and expertly manufactured holding a profound narrative and meaningful message. Join us in embracing a fashion culture that goes beyond the fabric—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging, connecting through style, and making a statement with every piece. Welcome to Life Of Us Clothing, it’s more than a brand; it’s a lifestyle that celebrates individuality and unity in equal measure.

Meet Jayna Lidan designer behind J.Lidan LLC(@jlidandesigns)

J.Lidan is a body positivity brand that focuses on creating clothing that makes you feel confident and powerful. J.lidan focuses on normalizing normal bodies. Normal is beautiful!

Jayna further channeled her energy into hosting the Curve Factor (@the.curve.factor), an annual body positivity fashion show that centers on beauty in diversity.

Meet Isaiah Robinson the designer behind Sailuc (@sail.uc) from a small town in Texas, where fashion was seen as taboo, to the runways —Isaiah Robinson’s journey is one of passion, resilience, and limitless creativity. Every obstacle only fueled his drive, shaping him into the visionary designer he is today. Now, as the creative force behind Sailuc, he brings a fresh perspective to fashion, blending modern art with the raw beauty of nature.

On Friday, April 18th, Isaiah takes the stage at the Fashion Circuit, showcasing designs that push boundaries and challenge convention. @sail.uc is more than a brand—it’s a mindset, an invitation to stay open, create fearlessly, and find inspiration in the world around you. Don’t miss this moment.

Meet Kristin Boggs the mind behind Denim & Such (@kdenimn)

Denim & Such is a handcrafted brand that blends creativity, craftsmanship, and personal expression. Founded on my healing journey, this brand represents transformation, resilience, and limitless possibilities. While denim is the foundation, the “such” in Denim & Such signifies my exploration beyond denim—crafting unique apparel, accessories, and artistic pieces inspired by my visions.

Most items are handmade with intention, turning fabric into wearable art that tells a story. Follow my journey and discover unique creations that redefine denim and beyond.

See Kristin’s collection on our runway Friday April 18th.

Meet Rachel Gai the designer behind Rachel Reloaded (@r_reloaded) a sustainable fashion brand that transforms unwanted textiles—like blankets, tablecloths, and curtains—into bold, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind pieces. With a commitment to upcycling, Rachel Reloaded gives forgotten fabrics a second life, embracing vibrant prints and unexpected patterns to create statement-making fashion that’s as unique as it is eco-conscious.

Meet Grace Robertson, the creative force behind Gracie GoGo Designs (@graciegogodesigns).

Born in the Central African Republic, Grace moved to the U.S. at 13 and found her passion in fashion, crochet, and creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. For her, fashion is more than just clothing—it is a form of self-expression, a way to build confidence, and a tool for celebrating individuality. Her ultimate dream is to open her own shop in New York City, where she can share her designs with the world and inspire others to embrace their own style.

Gracie GoGo Designs is built on the belief that fashion should make people feel empowered. Grace wants those who wear her pieces to feel joyous, unique, special, and fabulous. She believes that confidence is the most important accessory anyone can wear and hopes her designs help others feel bold, beautiful, and fully themselves.

The name Gracie GoGo Designs carries deep meaning, inspired by two grandparents—one in Africa and one in America—who have shaped her journey. Rooted in love, this brand is a reflection of heritage, passion, and a vision for a future where self-expression knows no limits.

Merveilles Dimambu is the visionary behind Seraphic Couture (@seraphics_couture) , a brand dedicated to custom Afrocentric fashion. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Merveilles recently graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in apparel merchandising and design. With a passion for blending cultural heritage with contemporary style, Seraphic Couture creates one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate identity and self-expression.

Now based in Iowa City, Merveilles is focused on launching their fashion business, bringing bold, custom designs to a wider audience. Seraphic Couture will take the stage at The Fashion Circuit on April 18th, showcasing a collection that redefines elegance through the lens of African-inspired craftsmanship.

Meet Ashley Nino-Villalobos (@ashleynnv_ ), the designer behind Piece of Mine — a brand rooted in sustainability, self-expression, and secondhand transformation.

From thrifted treasures to bold, one-of-a-kind designs, Ashley reimagines garments with fun patterns, textures, and colors that speak to how she feels in the moment. There’s no single style here — just raw, emotional creation that ranges from masculine to feminine, dramatic to soft, and always authentically her.

Sara is a fashion designer and stylist with a passion for sustainability and avant-garde design. She studied fashion at Iowa State University and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), where she played a key role in the fashion show production team—leading as a stylist and managing models and designers. Her designs have been showcased in DMACC fashion shows, as well as the Child Serve Bubble Ball fundraising gala, where she contributed as a volunteer designer. Dedicated to upcycling and giving forgotten clothing a new life, Sara believes in creating fashion that is both innovative and environmentally conscious. Her work blends sustainability with bold, eye-catching designs that bring excitement to the runway.

Yo, I go by Brian, and I'm currently a sophomore at Iowa State University studying architecture with plans to minor in sustainability. To me architecture is not just about designing buildings, I want to use architecture to create spaces that are inclusive, affordable, and nuanced spaces that allow people to fully express themselves. Architecture has shown me how environments shape our experiences, but fashion has shown me how I've shaped and expressed who I am.

Growing up, I rocked neon gym clothes, LeBron's, and colored socks pulled up to my knees- style was never something I took lightly (sarcasm). As years passed, my Chicano background, love for learning about different cultures, skating, creating art, and listening to music all shaped the way I view clothing. I began to understand that individuality is one of the most important things we all carry, and clothes are one of the strongest ways to tell that story.

Whether it's sewing, selling and styling clothes on depop, or styling fits in my room, I've tried to make fashion feel personal. This passion for expressing identity through clothes is what drives me to create and what has led me to the Fashion Circuit Fellowship. My friend and I are working on bringing our own clothing brand into the world, one that celebrates the beauty in self-expression, cultural roots, and pushes creative boundaries. This fellowship is a step toward that vision, and I'm excited to contribute to the future of fashion in Des Moines.

Alonni Baskerville is a stylist and designer with a B.A. in Textiles and Apparel from the University of Northern Iowa. Skilled in garment construction, pattern making, draping, and digital design. She blends craftsmanship with innovation beautifully.  

Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Optitex. Alonni continuously refines her skills pushing creative boundaries. She has styled models, curated unique looks, and contributed to community-driven fashion projects. Devoted to empowering others through personal style and fostering inclusivity. She strives to make fashion more thoughtful, expressive, and accessible.

Brody Carroll is the 15-year-old founder and creative mind behind Unusvia, a growing clothing brand rooted in purpose and individuality. Originally launched under the name WatchYourBag, Brody’s journey began with two successful drops—hoodies and t-shirts—that gave him his first taste of entrepreneurship. But it wasn’t just about fashion; it was about finding a message that mattered.

That mission became clear with the rebrand to Unusvia, which means “one path” in Latin. The name reflects Brody’s belief in staying true to your unique journey, even when the road gets tough. As a young designer doing everything independently, Brody hopes Unusvia can inspire others—especially youth—to keep pushing forward on their own path, no matter the obstacles.

Brody is eager to continue developing his brand and learning more about design, promotion, and marketing. He’s especially excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other creatives—models, photographers, and fellow designers—and grow not only his business, but his community as well.

Peyton Houangvan (@peyton_van_ ), a first-gen Tai Dam American and student at @grandviewuniversity , has served as our Design Journalist — interviewing every designer in this year’s show for a special visual installation inside. She also wrote our first feature in @blackiowanews spotlighting Creative Directors Sandrah Nasimiyu (@lovequeensosa) & Izzy Kelai (@sow.rootz).

Marcelo Acosta(@marcelo_acosta102), a UNI marketing major and digital media creative, is the Editor-in-Chief behind our debut Fashion Circuit Digital Magazine — launching on our website during the show to offer a deeper look into the designers, fellows, and everything the Fashion Circuit. He also leads @uni_prolificmagazine at @northern_iowa , uplifting student voices and storytelling rooted in creativity and culture.

Wilnuse Riphin(@wilnuse) , an Industrial Design student at @iowastateu, led art direction for our Fellow Class Photo Project — a bold visual series celebrating the identity and creativity of our Spring 2025 cohort, set to drop next week.