Semsem is a York based luxury womenswear brand sold in outlets including Net-a-porter, Moda Operandi, Five Story, Farfetch, and its own ecommerce site www.semsem.com. Founder and Creative Director Abeer Al Otaiba is a mother of two and wife of the UAE Ambassador to the United States.

At the heart of Semsem is Al Otaiba's mission to support and invest in women and children's well-being around the world. Every season, the philanthropist partners with non-profit organizations dedicated to gender equality, literacy, health, legal awareness, and education.

Semsem has been worn by both celebrity mothers and young women like Taylor Swift, Kourtney Kardashian, Olivia Palermo, Drew Barrymore, Jamie King and Saoirse Ronan, and appears regularly on Vogue, Women's Wear Daily, Harper's Bazaar, ELLE and W Magazine.

Any Old Iron, the brainchild of designer and stylist Andrew Clancey, stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of tradition and contemporary style. The label's name is not only a nod to the historical practice of scrap men collecting metal with horse-drawn carts but also pays homage to Clancey's family's scrap metal business, which boasts a legacy dating back to 1872. The very phrase "Any Old Iron" is steeped in history, as it is also the title of an Old English music hall song that reflects a young man's sartorial dandyism—a quality that resonates deeply in the brand's aesthetic.

Originally rooted in the bustling streets of New York City, Any Old Iron made a strategic move to Nashville, Tennessee, in October 2014. The decision was fueled by a desire to cater to the city's vibrant music scene and fashion-forward locals. Now situated on Music Row, Any Old Iron has become a go-to destination for musicians and style enthusiasts alike.

The clientele of Any Old Iron reads like a who's who of the entertainment industry, with renowned names such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, Kate Bosworth, Taylor Swift, Elton John, Miranda Lambert, Cardi B, and the Jonas Brothers among its distinguished patrons. The brand's ability to attract such a diverse and high-profile clientele underscores its universal appeal and unique ability to cater to the fashion needs of the stars.

A combination of the Hindi words Aurat (Woman) and Aadmi (Man), the label is a tongue-in-cheek homage to androgyny in menswear. Handcrafted in a cozy little atelier in South Mumbai, each garment is made using precision tailoring techniques used in bespoke menswear design. The handloom fabrics are sourced from artisanal weavers around India or from deadstock suppliers to keep the process cruelty-free, ethical and as sustainable as possible.

The label prides itself in global collaborations with artisans from Australia, Britain and The EU alike.

With a decade of experience working as an animator, Urvashi is a Savile Row trained dressmaker who intends on using her design knowledge to create visually striking pieces of clothing. As someone who moved from India to the UK at a young age, she hopes to combine the craft of clothes-making from both countries in her work. The label’s ideologies center around the decolonisation of masculinities in India and celebrating the shared cultural heritage which has been the inevitable bi-product of that colonisation.

The ultimate goal is to do without “menswear” or “womenswear” as the categories of the clothing that we purchase. Challenging the codes of masculinity in menswear is the first of many steps we can take to living in a future where clothing stores present garments based on body shapes and size rather than gender.

María Cabrera is a slow fashion brand specializing in women's ready-to-wear, based in Colombia.

Innovation and creative proposals are at the heart of María Cabrera, all while staying true to the principles of slow fashion. Additionally, the brand makes the most of waste by creating accessories like handmade roses, which strengthens its DNA and adds artisanal value to its garments. María Cabrera uses recyclable materials in polyester and natural and organic fibers such as linen, cotton, and silk. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also ensures that the products are of the highest quality. The brand promotes sustainable practices throughout its supply chain, working exclusively with suppliers who share its commitment to environmental and social sustainability.

MCDR is sponsored and presented by The Columbian Marketplace

Gabriel “Gaby” Okito was born in Ivory Coast and migrated to the USA in 2001. His passion for clothing design came from his parents, especially from his mother who instilled quality clothing and design into him from owning her own sewing workshop in Africa. In the states, he excelled in soccer eventually playing for and graduating from UC Santa Barbara. 

Akomi believes that the journey is what resiliently shapes us, helps us to define our values and is an infinite loop of self-discovery. The streetwear line reflects this philosophy and they want to inspire others to embrace the journey of all it has to offer.  

Originally from Gallup, New Mexico, Indigenous designer, Bryan Beyal has had many different interests and was never able find joy in one. In 2013 the movie The Hunger Games: Catching Fire came out and the work of costume designer Trish Summerville opened their eyes to the world of Fashion and Costuming.

From when he was little his mother taught him how to knit and sew, so with that I took off in designing and constructing garments. He created his designs based on many different inspirations ranging from nature to the future. His designs are inspired by his tribes connection to the natural world. He like using materials that may seem unconventional but he uses them to not be seen as what they are but what they can be.

Shelley Felten creates handmade, small batch felted textiles from her home in Hilo. She draws inspiration for her work from nature and her two favorite islands, Iceland and Hawaii, where she resides. By layering silk and wool, she agitates the fibers by hand until they naturally fuse, a method known as nuno felting. Silk organza and Habouti blend with the softest Australian, and alpaca wool to create a gossamer effect that has a light beautiful drape. Hand embroidery and Shibori dyeing are other themes in her work. Her aesthetic is ethereal and chromatic. She enjoys the tactile method of felting and the unique, one of a kind textile that is born from the process. 

Taylor Smedley is a Salt Lake Avant Garde designer who redefines fashion by blending resilience, creativity, and identity. As a self-taught designer, Taylor began creating his own clothes to express his unique style, turning his sewing machine into a tool of deconstruction and innovation. His designs challenge traditional representations and celebrate freedom and fluidity, using materials in new and inventive ways. Through his work, Taylor narrates the queer experience, urging us to rethink representation and embrace authenticity. His creations are a call to celebrate diverse identities and envision a fashion future where everyone is honored.

A collection of local designers invited to explore their vision of the future of fashion in exhibitions throughout The Leonardo.

Davis Hong

Trung Tham

Hannah Gordon

Kyle Wheeling

Public Parts + Preston House of Design

Mathieu Quinlin

Heggy Gonzalez