Cities like Los Angeles and New York are known as the playground for some of the most famous figures in fashion from designers and models to stylists and photographers, but Detroit has a fashion community of it’s own which is a hidden gem many have yet to discover. Although not often mentioned, there are people making big moves right here in the city who have helped make sure the fashion presence is established, maintained, and progressively flourishes. For all those searching for the heavy hitters here in Detroit, ambernicolestyle.com has compiled a list of those who have made a name for themselves and has played a vital role in the fashion community of Detroit: Karen Buscemi                       Founder of Detroit Garment Group Guild Following a 6 year tenure as editor of Styleline Magazine, Karen decided to work full-time on her non-profit, Detroit Garment Group Guild, which hosts events, programs and opportunities for members of Michigan’s fashion community. Have you heard those rumors of a Garment District coming to downtown Detroit? Not only is it true, but Karen is also the driving force behind this initiative. She is a huge sponsor for numerous fashion-related events here in Detroit, as well as the head honcho of Fashion Speaks, a fashion conference which brings big names in the fashion/beauty industry together to tell their success stories, inspire, motivate and showcase their talents. IG: @karen_buscemi   Loren Jordan                                                                                   Fashion Designer and Founder of Michigan Fashion Week Are you one of those fashionistas who attends Michigan Fashion Week every fall? Well, I am thanks to LOJO! Loren is the founder and mastermind behind this event, which is one of Detroit’s largest fashion events. It takes place every year in September featuring events that include fashion, networking, and panel discussions leading up to the big fashion showcase where designers put their creativity and talent on display for attendees. IG: @lilmisslovelyl   Davide Anderson                                                                               Fashion Photographer Davide has shot anybody who’s somebody in Detroit. His work has been displayed in ALL major Michigan-based magazines and also national magazines from Sports Illustrated to The Source magazine. He is a fashion, beauty and glamor photographer who got his start in one of the fashion capitals of the world, New York. He later made his way to the Motor city and has been a leading force in the photography spectrum of fashion in the city and surrounding areas. Any models looking for polished, quality, and professional photos for their portfolio, can find all of thee above in Davide’s work. IG: @davidefoto   Char Glover                                                                         Designer/Owner of RocknRemix If you watched Season 13 of Project Runway, then you should know why Char made this list! She is the first Detroit contestant who made it all the way to becoming a finalist in the competition after auditioning three times. Even before project runway, Char had already been established as a fashion designer with her well-known previous label, Chargrel’s Couture, now called RocknRemix! Char’s designs has been spotted on the likes of Angela Simmons, Keyshia Cole, Michelle Williams, and more! IG:@charglover_   Tawny Thieu Walker                                                                         Owner, Liquid Salon, Burn Rubber  Tawny has not only has an established career in fashion, but she has also found success in the beauty industry with her multi-million dollar West Bloomfield salon, Liquid Salon. With a total of 8 successful local fashion boutiques, including Pink Pump and the exclusive men’s boutique, Two Eighteen by Burn Rubber, Tawny has set the bar high for Michigan’s fashion industry. Her success story is one of the most heart-warming and inspiring success you will ever hear. She used the resources she had to follow and reach her dreams, and now she hosts seminars where she explains to aspiring entrepreneurs her secrets to success right here in the Metro Detroit area! IG: @tawnysworld   Marv Neal                                                                                             Fashion Stylist If you follow him on social media, you would know his love for 90s fashion and music inspires his creativity when it comes to styling and also designing! He holds a very diverse portfolio behind his name having shot models of all ethnicities and worked with very renowned photographers right here in the city of Detroit! Not to mention his styling work has graced the pages of prestigious magazines such as Ambassador Magazine and occasionally in designer and/or boutique ad campaigns. With no signs of slowing down, Marv has recently signed on with WALK Fashion as the Head Wardrobe Stylist for the entire show! IG: @marvneal   Fance                                                                                   Founder/Creator, Fashion Massacre, Stylist Thanks to Fance, for the past five years The Fashion Massacre showcase has given local designers a platform to exhibit their designs amongst the most creative and fashion-forward crowd here in Detroit. It’s not your average runway fashion show including the fact that most of the time there is no runway. Fance serves as the shows’ producer, and coordinates it in scenes where models are on display in the garments and strike a pose every few seconds for the audience. Not only does she produce this showcase, but also the new “fashion styling presentation,” Styliste, where fashion styling meets art exhibition and serves as a means of live storytelling for fashion stylists. IG: @callmefance   Hoda Salameh                                                                                   Fashion Stylist, Journalist, Former Associate Editor of Styleline Magazine Hoda is the mastermind behind the fashion spreads of Styleline Magazine. Have you ever worked with someone who was born for the fashion industry? Well, meet Hoda Salaameh, the former Associate Editor of Styleline turned Nordstrom’s personal stylist. I had the pleasure of assistng her on a few shoots for Styleline, and I must say her eye for fashion is on another level! Not only does she style insane high fashion shoots, but Hoda also is playing a vital role in establishment of the upcoming Detroit fashion industry. IG: @thedamselindetroit   Mia Ray                                                                                                 Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger   One who isn’t too shy to tell her story, Mia will tell any audience about how she turned $300 and her passion for fashion & beauty into the well known Confessions of a Glamaholic blog. She began building her empire a few years ago with little resources and is now one of the most influential fashion figures in Detroit. She has developed Glamaholic Lifestyle, which is a lifestyle brand made up of of totes, over night bags, wallets, and cosmetic bags. Although Mia has now relocated to Atlanta to dominate the Atlanta market, don’t be surprised if you spot a fashionista in one of Mia’s signature glam totes here in Detroit. IG: @miaray Daishawn                                                                                           Executive Producer, WALK Fashion Show Meet the driving force behind WALK Fashion Show, Dashawn Franklin. As the executive producer of the most popular fashion show in the Midwest, he has developed an exceptional reputation here in Detroit. Walk fashion show is held throughout the year in showcases including NY Fashion Week. Dashawn has a hand in the entire show as the overseer of all the models, hair and makeup, designers, stylists and also volunteers! He also has the help of a team of more than 30 young, eager and talented individuals who come together to put on the best fashion productions the Midwest has ever seen. He is responsible for jumpstarting many fashion careers here in the city of Detroit. Any models, hair stylists, makeup artists, or wardrobe stylists who have taken their craft seriously in the city have participated in WALK Fashion Show! IG:@daishawnfranklin Well, thats all! Stay tuned for our next list of Detroit Heavy Hitters in Fashion!