Meet Mitchelle Lyle: The Tech CEO Whose App Will Make You Stand On Business When Moving Abroad

Good Morning /CW Fam. I have a question for you all. What’s the one thing everyone highly anticipates every year, no matter their age, gender, or state they reside in? Correct! You guessed it right: A vacation to another place they do not live in, specifically out of the country. Stem advocate, engineer, and CEO of ITA (International Travel Advisor), Mitchelle Lyle, is no exception to this unspoken and worldwide commonality. For millions around the world and even a few thousand right here in Milwaukee, traveling abroad is viewed as an escape, a chance to be a new person in a different environment where little to nobody knows you, or simply a chance to discover yourself in a unique way. A different story was written for the motivation and dying love Lyle has for destinations abroad. It goes beyond loving the surface-level perks of traveling, which has not only inspired her business but also Lyel’s personal life journey.

Her first taste of living abroad started with a leadership and empathy group Lyle was involved in throughout College. She traveled alongside nine other students and lived in Cape Town, South Africa for a month. The tech advocate and engineer’s journey throughout Cape Town was far from what anyone; including Lyle expected. She noticed several similarities between it’s history compared to America but also the interpersonal communication between its people, whether in churches singing the solace and soulful hymns she grew up on or young girls playing hand games on the sidewalk. This was the first place she learned the true difference between traveling and living abroad.

"Immersing yourself in a culture and what your significance is throughout that culture is the value of living abroad. It’s different than staying at a resort and chilling on beaches all day”-CEO, Mitchelle Lyle

Although living in South Africa was the spark that encouraged Lyle to living in three other abroad countries including France,Brazil, and Martinique, she quickly learned it’s not always a movie once you get off the plane and begin living in a completely different country. [Those 16 hour plus plane rides are also no fairytale] Some eye-opening challenges Mitchelle faced were sustainability, money management, but most importantly limited job opportunities. Since being 18 years old, the CEO knew her life was meant to be experienced beyond the borders. This is why the hardships and lessons she learned over the years did not discourage Lyle rather they became the foundation for one of her greatest ideas yet (with the help of a call from her best friend): launching her own business, ITA (International Travel Advisor).

ITA is designed for young professionals, digital nomads and retirees who are seeking to move abroad but don’t know where to start and need hands-on guidance to turn their dreams into reality! Granting a smooth transition but also setting up one for long-term success while living abroad is the company’s top priority. From supporting services such as visa assistance, job placement, and tax consulting, Lyle wants to emphasize this is not an extended vacation; this will become your new home so preparation, comprehension and honesty are key. Just as there will be key elements of the culture you move to; there will be things that are different or will take time adjusting. With the concierge service of ITA, their team provides a financial health review, 3-day itinerary tailored for you, travel logistics and identifying counties that best suit you!

“Yes, it may be fearful but I truly want to help others break free from traditional living and thinking. I want everyone to get a taste of and embrace the transformative power of global experiences” -CEO, Mitchelle Lyle

After launching this innovative and life-changing business in 2022, Lyle always had a roadmap to buildout an app for ITA. The unique vision and landscape never came into fruition until this past August at a NSBE conference (National Society of Black Engineers). It was the CEO herself who built the app while taking a workshop. She explained to me how exciting yet surprising it was how her vision came to life in a one day workshop after hiring professionals for years to get to the job done. This is when Mitchelle knew she had exactly what she needed to take her business to the next level. What better time than to launch her latest creation during this year’s Wisconsin Tech Month?

Introducing ITA ACE. It is a groundbreaking app that serves as a digital companion for the modern traveler. It provides a unique blend of personalized travel advice and powerful, intuitive planning tools, allowing users to obtain answers for nearly 70 countries from vaccines to visa. The app is designed to transform the way travelers discover, plan, and book their global adventures. ITA ACE offers a nomadic buffet of resources such as summaries of vaccines, experts of countries, budgeting and a direct chat line.

“As a digital nomad myself, it was a time and energy intensive task to find the info I needed. With my expertise in Systems Engineering, I created the app and platform to help people like me travel. We've combined our human expertise with seamless digital experience, giving users the power to plan their dream their dream trips from the palm of their hand. This app will separate the dreamers and the doers ” -CEO, MITCHELLE LYLE

Are you ready to become confident enough to take the leap into living abroad? Do you want access to resources such as language learning, job placement and financial health? There are a few ways to get the ball rolling:

• Thursday October 9th, 2025 CEO of ITA app will be hosting a launch event right here at CopyWrite Magazine [2201 N Dr Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin] from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Come enjoy mimosas, light pastries and a live experience of the app!

• Test the ITA app yourself: Web App

• Explore the ITA website: visit www.internationaltraveladvisor.com.

• Follow ITA on all social media platforms @intltraveladvisor

Mitchelle is committed to helping others live their "yes" and realize the transformative power of international living, whether they are seeking personal growth, career advancement, or a renewed sense of purpose. Through International Travel Advisor, Mitchelle shares her expertise and passion, guiding her clients every step of the way toward a life of freedom and adventure.

Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW

#ListenUpWithLexi | Our Editor-in-Chief, Lexi S. Brunson, Announces the Last Ever Issue of CopyWrite Magazine

Instagram got it first! Here is the full video of the “5 Part” Reel/Video montage of “WHY” Issue 22, The Vision is the LAST EVER issue of CopyWrite Mag.

[Plus the sneak peek from Issue 22’s Letter From the Editor, describing THE SAME THING!]

CAN I GO CRY NOW?

/Lexi S. Brunson | Editor-in-Chief /CW

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INTRODUCING: THEY CREATE, WE RELATE [W/ DESRIANA GILBERT] | EPISODE 1 [RIA]

The city of Milwaukee has recently been experiencing a complete shift when it comes to the representation and advocacy for being a creative. No matter the form of creativity being pursued, our neighborhoods as well as Milwaukee’s social media presence, are becoming the main stage for the success and recognition of the next wave of creatives and those who have been in the game for a minute. After much research and observation, there’s an imbalance of how much the success stories and end results are shown compared to how little the journeys and preparation is displayed to the supporters and intrigued public to see. CopWrite Magazine presents, THEY CREATE, WE RELATE. Every month, the spotlight will be placed on a creative showing a different perspective of why they create the way they do and how they create the way they do. 

THEY CREATE, WE RELATE is a more intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the talented creatives in Milwaukee and their process to create in real-time. The /CW journalist team will be following them around for an event, performance, conversation, or creative time. Everyone loves feeling a sense of relatability and authenticity with who they follow and support. This will provide not only viewers with an inside look at their favorite creatives and how they tap into their process, but also maintaining /CW’s rep of staying in the know of who and what is driving creativity and putting MKE on the map. This will give exposure to community activists, musicians, artists, performers, and any other form of creative that be. It will be either long-form YouTube content, a featured article on the /CW blog page, or a one-on-one interview with the creative and the /CW journalism team as they recap the footage captured. The beauty about being a creative is that everything starts as an idea and manifests into a physical creation. THEY CREATE, WE RELATE gives a platform and space for the entire process before a party, pop-up shop, poetry slam, or music videos exist. 

“People love learning a person’s come-up story and how they got started, which leads to more exposure for the creative as well as /CW for showing a more personable and in-depth perspective of both the face and work instead of just their work. This is a project dedicated to showing the multidimensional sides to artists, musicians, poets, performers, entrepreneurs, and all other creatives who are putting Milwaukee on the map.” -/CW Entertainment & Social Journalist Desriana Gilbert 

CopyWrite Magazine focuses on five pillars: culture, music, fashion, art, and community. THEY CREATE, WE RELATE is an artistic and bold collage of everyone who makes up the creative space that is now transforming the way our city is viewed. The /CW team stands for all things Urban. As an unapologetic group of creatives, we are in business to change the community. We will tell the stories that need to be told and always showcase the unrealized artistic potential throughout our community while doing the things we love. With our expertise in media and journalism, combined with the untapped talent and hunger many artists have in Milwaukee, a space is now going to be given more attention as well as benefits such as networking, financial leverage, and expansion. 

Do you want your journey to be shared? Please contact copywrite.mke@gmail.com | ATTN: Desriana, THEY CREATE, WE RELATE FEATURE.

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CHECK OUT THEY CREATE, WE RELATE | EPISODE 1 [RIA]

THEY CREATE, WE RELATE is a more intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the talented creatives in Milwaukee and their process to create in real-time. The very first creative our /CW journalist team took a deep dive into was none other than Vault of Ria. You may know her from the nostalgic and outlandish photography she brings to life on Instagram or the mark she’s making in L.A as a fashion photographer. Our team quickly learned she is more than a photographer; rather, a visionary and a jack of all trades. We saw her talent and creativity in real-time during her NightFlea Market, Godspeed. Watch the very first episode of THEY CREATE, WE RELATE for an inside look at why she creates, the role she’s playing in putting MKE on the map, and how you relate to Vault of Ria.     

Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW

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/CW INTERN SKY ABNER | 21 Things I Learned at Milwaukee Fashion Week from a Fashion Perspective

A WORD FROM OUR INTERN SKY:

@mkefashionweek was such a fun experience to be apart of! I enjoyed seeing all the shows and doing interviews for @copywritemag

To all the wonderful people that I interviewed thank you so much for being apart of my short film. I wanted to add everybody but it would have been a movie.

Interviewees:
@jmacjr03
@hopemarieusa
@silversarkofficial
@shantiofficiall
@222iluvme_
@cielo.marisa
@pop_that_pooley
@_arturovelasco
@jvrvmyy.joelll
@pakou._.222
@gigiwagener
@julieannmaday

My love for fashion started when I was a kid. It was something passed down to me from both of my parents. My mom had a closet I would raid any chance I could get, which I still like to do to  this day. My dad collected ties, more than 500 of them, and he loved nothing more than putting on a sharp suit. Between the two of them, I grew up surrounded by style. 

I spent hours playing dress-up games, imagining the kind of spaces where fashion was not just  personal but celebrated. Living in Milwaukee, I always wished for a place where people like me, people who loved fashion in all its forms, had a community where that love could be shared  freely. 

Walking into Milwaukee Fashion Week, I realized that dream had found its home. For three days, I watched the city’s fashion community come alive. Designers, models, stylists,  photographers and volunteers all wove together into something bigger than a show. 

This year, the energy filled three different venues: the Milwaukee Public Museum, City Hall and  the Rivulet. Each space had its own story, from high-fashion archive pieces to the blueprint of streetwear and forms and figures. President Jeffrey McAlister called it “the reimagined, renewed and redefined Milwaukee Fashion Week,” and standing there in the middle of it all, I understood exactly what he meant. 

On the runway, the designs did more than turn heads; they told stories. Silversärk brought the  heat with daring, dramatic pieces that were impossible to forget, while Sam Graham Avant  Garde added sophistication, with looks so fly they made me double-take. Some pieces carried a retro flair that pulled me back to the 70s, a time I wasn’t born but still felt connected to through  his clothing. Then, during streetwear night came Arturo Velasco, whose work blended his culture  and love for Chihuahua, Mexico, transforming them into designs rooted in identity and storytelling. Fashion here was not just about fabric. It was about the designer’s voice, memory, and creativity. 

The models brought their own kind of magic. Some had known they wanted to walk the runway  since they were a kid, while others found their way here through friendship and community.  They reminded me that confidence matters as much as couture. The runway can be a family, a  place where people grow together and support one another. 

The backstage process was a world of its own, buzzing with urgency, laughter and the constant warmth of curling irons. Student and professional hair and makeup artists moved with precision, 

transforming models in minutes. Every detail, from beat faces to sculpted hair, mattered.  Watching it unfold felt like seeing another kind of art form, one that rarely comes alive in front  of the cameras. 

And speaking of cameras, the photographers were everywhere, capturing angles and moments that told their own story. Volunteers kept things running smoothly, helping people to their seats, making everyone feel welcome. 

Looking back at my great experience, I walked away with 21 notes from the past 3 nights: 

1. The city’s fashion scene is thriving and growing. 

2. Milwaukee Fashion Week has come a long way. 

3. Every venue told a story. 

4. The designer’s couture amazed me. 

5. Designers proved fashion can carry culture. 

6. Models reminded me that the runway is a family and that confidence matters.  7. Backstage is chaos and inspiration.  

8. Hairstylists push limits.  

9. Makeup turns faces into art.  

10. Photographers make moments last.  

11. Volunteers keep everything moving.  

12. The hosts feel the crowd and the room with energy. 

13. The community is inclusive and very kind. 

14. Everyone has a real love for fashion. 

15. Designers draw inspiration from everywhere.  

16. The runway is about storytelling.  

17. Every detail counts.  

18. Fashion in Milwaukee is about connection.  

19. Organizers want national recognition.  

20. Fashion shows are a celebration. 

21. And at the heart of it all, Milwaukee Fashion Week is about style, creativity and  community! 

As Julie Ann Maday, on the finance committee board, told me, “I want Milwaukee Fashion  Week on the map like Chicago, New York, or Paris. We have the designers, we have the talent,  we just need to keep building.” 

And after three nights of being in the middle of it all, I have the highest hopes for the future of  Milwaukee Fashion Week as well.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF COPYWRITE MAGAZINE ISSUE 22 | THE VISION

“The record will not be unwritten . . . not this time.”

-FOR THE LAST TIME-

In this issue, we explore Vision. From our professional practice, we use vision as a tool to navigate the aesthetic world, playing with the complexities of that faculty. “What does it feel like to have the ability to think about the future, plan for unrealized opportunities, or see alternative ways to approach what is? For some, this appears as clairvoyant. CopyWrite itself was born from envisioning a conduit that supported the local community through creative endeavors. But the gift of vision is not an isolated ability. It manifests itself in so many others forging innovation, redefining ingenuity, and has produced hope by seeing beyond “states of matter”, taking paths less travelled [& others plunging head-first into the unknown]. 

Featuring: Briana Mcquay, Emma Daisy, Dukalion, and the 3C’s | DCD Commissioner Lafayette Crump, County Executive David Crowley, Mayor Cavalier Johnson

Introducing Muta'aliah: The Artist Whose Love for Art Has Sparked the Truth About Healing

PHOTO ACCREDITED BY /CW DESRIANA GILBERT

For thousands of people throughout the world, playground lots filled with images created by chalk, popsicle sticks, and glue bottles are their first depictions of the embodiment of art. Many do not explore beyond the surface level of this school subject; it’s often given only a skewed capacity, such as coloring books and double-sided crayola markers. The complexities and multifacetedness of this sacred skill have always been visually noticed but rarely discussed as a community throughout society for centuries. However, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the most talented visual artists who just so happens to be located right here in the heart of Milwaukee. I went into the conversation as one who loves art and uses it as a vessel of optimism and escape but I left the conversation educated and intrigued to learn more after hearing their responses. /CW fam, I introduce you to one of our newest family members, Mutaaaliah.

“I fell in love with art in the fourth grade. Just like any kid, I was constantly exposed to it, at school and throughout the city. Nobody sat me down and taught me how to become one with it. Our connection happened naturally. When something is for you, you just know!”

— Muta'aliah

MUTA’ALIAH SURROUNDED BY THEIR PHYSICAL ART PORTFOLIO

Muta’aliah has been one of Milwaukee’s most engaging and eye-catching visual artists since 2021. You may recognize the name from being in creative art shows such as Some Fools, Bronzeville Artwalk, Mitchell Street Arts, and La Gente Art Gallery. Their journey has been far from traditional; after dropping out of UW-Milwaukee in 2020, while the pandemic had us all on lockdown, Muta’s passion for art did not die; rather, it intensified. From beginning, a self-taught journey of tracing, they quickly realized the help of other talented individuals would be one of the secret sauces to becoming successful and educated. Collaborating, studying, and watching muralists, painters, and several other types of artists from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) became their everyday routine and instilled more hunger inside Muta’aliah to hone in on their craft as well as apply their own flavor and personality to it. As we sat down, Muta expressed to me that their creative process is to always look at what is transpiring in their own life; from adversaries, accomplishments, and lessons, pull the current emotions out of it and formulate pieces that will display the feeling of what Muta is or has gone through over their lifetime. 

“I draw inspiration from what’s going on inside me as well as my surroundings. Milwaukee plays a large part in that. I get a ton of ideas just from the everyday people here that I meet. There’s a unique level of warmth and kindness the city has that is rarely spoken about.”

— Muta'aliah

ART PIECE CREATED BY MUTA AT TRUESKOOL’S 2025 JUNETEENTH MURAL CONTEST (FIRST PLACE PIECE)

I was gifted with the presence of Muta’s vulnerable side from the very beginning of the interview. Harsh topics such as psychosis, family trauma, and depression were uncovered and discussed layer by layer. It’s often assumed that visual artists only display positive depictions of life and emotions onto their canvases, buildings and streets; but Muta’aliah gave me a few pages out of their book that was quite the opposite. For Muta, murals and paintings created by them is a coping mechanism and healing process for their own pathway of life. Healing is not linear, predictable, or set on a specific deadline that means your life will go back to being normal or at its most happiest for the rest of your life. Through creating and sharing a message not often discussed, Muta’aliah’s art is more than eccentric and vibrant. In 2023, the artist went through psychosis where they were constantly on edge and had auditory as well as visual hallucinations due to a traumatic event that occurred. Their art piece entitled, “I Kill Vampires” was the therapeutic representation of Muta overcoming psychosis and claiming power of one’s own life back.

ARTWORK CREATED BY MUTA

“I want people to understand that healing is an ongoing process. There will be always be triggers even when you think you’ve overcome something. Being vulnerable looks different for everybody. Instead of trying to get over trauma so quickly; I want people to gather the lesson of accepting how trauma has impacted their lives and individuality as a whole, but go at their own pace.”

— Muta'aliah

Throughout the interview, I learned one of Muta’s favorite words, VISION. This is what has kept persistency and perseverance at the forefront of their artistry. From moments of wanting to give up, art has never been easy to walk away from and not complete their vision. So what does Muta’s vision look like you ask? ( Yes, I hear you all asking that question through your screens.) It is to create pieces of word that has surrealism, expressionism and storytelling as its foundation that make people not only talk to one another with deep conversation but also think and be completely honest with not only others but most importantly themselves. As any artist would feel, Muta’aliah’s accolades such as winning first place TrueSkool’s 2025 Juneteenth Mural Contest and being apart of groundbreaking showcases makes them feel proud and inspired to keep going to the very top but that's not the reason why Muta continues to create. 

The visual artist’s ultimate goal is to execute their vision of being able to live life the way they would like. Making a sustainable income off of the value of their artistry and becoming a part of the movement for Milwaukee art is the wind that keeps Muta’aliah going. Most importantly, everyday people are learning to face their trauma and navigate life even after the darkness by witnessing Muta create in the moment or their finalized portfolio, which is the overarching message of Muta’s gallery.

“Art is the sign of the times. We as artists have the responsibility to show what is going on in our time period. Whether it’s about my personal life or what we as society are facing, it is my job to create by that. Milwaukee art is underfunded and my goal is to become apart of a movenment that gets Milwaukee artsitry funded the way it deserves. There is immense talent here that is given little to no resources.”

— Muta'aliah

ARTWORK CREATED BY VISUAL ARTIST MUTA

Muta’s foot is never coming up off the gas when it comes to not only the vision for themselves but for the innovation of the Milwaukee Art Scene as a whole. Go see Muta’aliah’s work in person at 100percentmke, located at 217 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202 in the heart of Third Ward. This is where Muta was given an artist residency to create, network and connect with the community to buy their artwork or pull up for a deep conversation. (One of Muta’s favorites!) Follow the eccentric and truthful talent @Mutaaaliah and stop by 100percentmke to see the magic in person, buy prints and original pieces from the artist and catch their vibe.

Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW

INTRODUCING THE /CW PITCH YOUR PRICE PROGRAM

Creatives & Community members keep saying that they can not "afford" to use our "services", but if they "could" then they "would".

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Now, we’re putting that theory to the test

The Pitch Your Price Program is a bold new initiative designed to increase accessibility to our services for creatives and community members who express interest but feel financially restricted. Instead of adhering to fixed service rates, we’re inviting individuals to pitch us their event or project—at a price they can afford.

This is more than just a discount program—it’s a community-powered experiment to explore the real value of our work while building relationships based on trust, transparency, and mutual support.

LEARN MORE

VENDORS WANTED | KEEPING IT IN THE FAM [FALL] /CW VENDORS MARKET [2025]

VENDOR WANTED:

Opportunity for smaller/newer vendors to have a low-stakes but high-quality vending experience.

/CW Creative Shop now offers affordable paid vending/ popup rental opportunities for individuals, small businesses, and curated GROUP VENDING opportunities looking to connect directly with the community in an inspiring, low-overhead environment, by allowing you to try POP UP vending with THE CREATIVE [POP UP] SHOP RENTAL PROGRAM.

Here’s How Milwaukee Fashion Week Served Looks and Unified The Community

Photo Accredited To Designer, LaTasha Anderson

Did you know that when you walk out into the world, you’re expressing yourself in hundreds of ways every day? For some of you, it’s the songs blasting through your headphones as you’re walking down the street. While for others, it’s your daily rant on Twitter about the latest news in pop culture. Millions of people connect through sharing similarities in aesthetics and interests, whereas other connections are formed by the intrigue and differences of opinion between one another. In the world of fashion, runways, photo-ops, fabrics, and models are the gateway to self-expression of whose creating and what message they’d like to convey to the public. Big cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Miami often get the credit for the innovation and liveliness of the fashion industry, but this weekend, one of the underdogs came in swinging and made a statement that will last for centuries. Our city, MILWAUKEE, was indeed the underdog who showed up and showed out with a purpose.

 Photo Accredited to Tay Sondelski

After hearing the words “Milwaukee Fashion Week”, a visual diary spun around in my mind with countless images and assumptions of what the weekend would entail. Eccentric looks, serene venues, and networking with a party twist is what I imagined. However, nothing could have prepared me for the creativity, euphoric atmosphere, and knowledge I experienced during this year’s Milwaukee Fashion Week. As a city native, it struck me that Milwaukee even held the power to create these bold and beautiful scenic environments. It often felt like I wasn’t even in the city I once knew, one of the major fashion capitals, such as Paris. Seeing the reactions of others in the audience, I instantly knew this thought was not only lingering in my mind. I quickly learned that it meant more to the community than just a night out on the town and feeling as if they were all in a Project Runway episode. Milwaukee Fashion Week 2025 strengthened the community in a severe way, which is why I began asking everyone just how significant and eye-opening the past weekend had been for them.

It amazes me how everynody counts us out. Milwaukee needs to be put on the map when it comes to all things fashion; from streetweat, high-fashion, and archive. We have amazing talent and merchandise right here in the city

-Model Coach & Professional Model, Julie Ann Maday

Milwaukee Fashion Week is important to me because it makes me as a woman feel seen and important. Seeing new designs and how models wear them gives me inspiration for how I rock my clothes and feel sexy!

-Guest, Angela Walker

Videos Accredited to /CW Desriana Gilbert

On Saturday, September 27th, 2025, my first adventure began at The Rivulet, located at 309 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI. The evening was titled, The BluePrint, with the it girl of the hour being streetwear. As I witnessed the talented designers prepping their models and the adrenaline rushing chaos that we all know to love from a bird’s eye point of view, an epiphany came to me. Spaces such as these, highly anticipated fashion shows, are creating avenues for community members. One avenue is support for careers people never even knew they could have in Milwaukee. I talked with a number of photographers, models, and designers who never even believed this could be a financially stable career, let alone a consistent job flow. Milwaukee Fashion Week ignites the city with representation. The knowledge of not having to move to another city or give up on a dream because it feels out of arm’s reach was boldly shared with not only those who intensified the show but also with audience members as well. I learned that it is one of the leading forces that drives and motivates entrepreneurship in the city. All it takes is for people to see someone from the same city doing exactly what they’ve dreamed about for the city to be transformed into an emerging fashion mecca. The lively and electric night consisted of eight designers who each contributed homage to their own heritage, style, and message.

The Classic Shop

Photos accredited to /CW Desriana Gilbert

The Classic Shoppe, Lela Elizabeth, Aesthetic By Carlos, Designs By Deme, Arturo Velasco, The Wild West, $LEEPYHEAD, and Kingsawan Collective were the heavy-hitting line-up, and they did not come to disappoint; instead, the show already had guests and designers eagerly brainstorming ideas for next year!

The Blueprint: Streetwear Fashion Show not only highlighted how one’s ideas, aspirations, and goals can quickly turn into reality, but it also sparked legendary communal value, most of all! A multitude of guests revealed their vulnerable side and shared how MKE Fashion Week served as an optimistic reflection of the city. Every day, many of them tune into the local news and witness the complexity and dangers of Milwaukee, while others are in a state of survival. Being in tranquil venues while being exposed to stylish storytelling brings a certain kind of peace and comfort in a city where division and uncertainty are the trending topics on a daily basis. This night meant more than trench coats, high heels, and colorful moodboards; it served as a playful metaphor that the guests are the blueprint to the success of our city. Bold leadership and working together will always unify community members.

Photos Accredited to /CW Desriana Gilbert

The vibrant purpose of Milwaukee Fashion Week did not abruptly end on Saturday night; rather, it became more apparent the very next day and was free for everyone to come and enjoy. On Sunday, September 28th, 2025, a live exhibit entitled Forms and Figues was held at Milwaukee City Hall, located at 200 East West Street, Milwaukee, WI. This elegant and high-fashion themed exhibit caught my eye immediately by how inclusive, diverse, and open-minded it was. There was a mix of student designers, professional fashion designers, and fashion institutions that represented the thousands of ideas that run through their minds and become a breathtaking visual story. The unique element of having the designers and model stand on the same platform, while four to five chairs surrounded them, added a personal touch to the previous events held during the weekend. This provided a very rare interpersonal connection between audience members and designers, where people had the opportunity to ask any question they had for models or the designer, such as a piece of advice, designers to share their creative process, or what message they wanted people to take away from not only the look presented in front of them but their entire collection as well. This sparked much confidence, passion and motivation for the next generation of those who dream of being in the fashion industry.

Photos Accredited to /CW Desriana Gilbert

Photo Accredited to /CW Desriana Gilbert

Many believe fashion is superficial or doesn’t go beyond the surface level of movies such as, The Devil Wears Prada and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but that’s far from the truth. Milwaukee Fashion Week is a living testament that knowledge, power, collaboration, support and creative freedom unifies a community. Think of fashion designers as the storytellers, models as the story, and audience members as ones who hold the power of how far the message reaches within the community for change and innovation to come.

Follow MKE fashion week on all platforms @mkefashionweek for an exclusive recap of this year’s itinerary if you missed it. Comment down below what you are excited to see next year!

Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW

GET 10% OFF MKE FASHION WEEK 2025 TICKETS WITH OUR /CW FAM PROMO CODE