Detroit Is Your Couture
How DIYC started - DIYC came to fruition in the spring of 2020 during quarantine. It started as a creative outlet for designers who were growing stagnant from mass producing masks during COVID.
What is DIYC - Detroit Is Your Couture (DIYC) sends out monthly boxes of high end designer fabrics. Each month has its own theme where designers are required to use the contents of the box to make up 80% of the design in 7 days. Designs are then submitted and judged. First round of judging is done by Dan Kerin, a Metro-Detroit Native now living in New York City and former buyer for Saks 5th Ave and other top designers, like Escada and Louis Féraud. Critique is given on context, structure, balance, and theme. Second round of judging is done by an independent guest judge in the Metro Detroit Fashion Industry. Awards are given to designers in the areas of Best Representation of DIYC, Best Emerging Designer, and Audience Favorite among others.
MEET THE WOMEN BEHIND DIYC
Barbie Weisserman
A fashion designer with her own line, coming from a background of 30 plus years in costume design, film and theatre. She has excelled at every stage of these fields, including decades as an actress, producer, director, costume designer and teacher. With her non-fit, PAPA Weeze, Barbie has hosted several successful fashion shows in Metro Detroit, launched a line of couture clothing and has been the executive producer of a film staring Hollywood icons Ed Anser and Jean Smart. Recently, she has been actively involved in teaching fashion and sewing skills to refugee women and fervently believes that Detroit Is Your Couture will be instrumental in supporting local fashion artists and establishing Detroit as a center of the fashion arts.
Briana Williams
Briana, CEO and creative director of Mila Mara Agency. As a self taught fashion designer, Briana leads and mentors designers and fashion industry entrepreneurs into success. Having a degree as an accountant, she represents to renaissance woman teaching her and the next generation the importance of fashion and business. Her work has made appearances on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” television show, many celebrities, and Sprite commercials.
Daun Green
Daun is the CEO of Dusk Til Daun, LLC is a fashion curator and stylist. Based in Detroit MI, her company produces and directs fashion shows, photoshoots, model searches, and venue specialty event planning. As an influencer in the city of Detroit, she has a very successful podcast called High Heels and Panty Hose, be sure to listen!
