When the subject of Las Vegas fashion comes up, it conjures visions glitzy costumes and the tuxedos of the Rat Pack, or at the other end of the spectrum, the “tourist look” – shorts, T-shirts, and maybe even fanny packs.
But Las Vegas has an active and growing fashion industry.
Aside from the shops on the Strip that peddle nationally and internationally-recognized designers, Las Vegas is home to lots of local talent with a passion for their craft and their city.
Ermelinda Manos is one of those designers. She is originally from Albania but grew up in Greece. She went to fashion design school in Las Vegas and now works in the city, despite the fact that it is far from the center of fashion design in New York City.
"I love Las Vegas. This is my hometown and I believe that in order for me to be big anywhere I should start in my own hometown and make it big here first," Manos said.
Jen Taler is the co-founder of The Stitch Factory, which is a fashion studio that works with local designers to develop their products and grow their brands.
She agrees that it can be difficult to be a designer in Las Vegas, but she thinks locals can help by buying clothes, jewelry, shoes, what ever the product maybe, from local designers.
"It's really, really hard for startup brands... because we have to compete with the Forever 21s, the H&Ms, the Pier Ones, even Zales, all these big industries and big houses," Taler said.
Vishaal Melwani is the co-founder and CEO of the Combatant Gentlemen, a California-based online retailer with its roots in Las Vegas. He told KNPR's State of Nevada that he was able to grow his business because he and his business partner made sure the foundation of their business was solid.
"We really focused on getting the early moments right and from there we were able to scale it," Melwani said.
Polly Weinstein is the owner of "The Jeweler's Daughter" and she agrees that getting the business part of the fashion industry can make a big difference.
She is a local jewelry designer and the daughter of long-time Las Vegas jeweler Jack Weinstein.
"Business acumen is a big part of being successful," she said. "A lot of people are creative but if you can't balance your creative mind with your organizational skills and business acumen you're not going to get anywhere."
Weinstein said people don't understand that buying something made locally can cost more but have a higher value.
"Sometimes I hear back from customers, 'Oh, I can't afford this'... well maybe you could give up your Starbucks to spend a little more money with someone locally so we can patronize the local community so people like myself and Ermelinda can make it to a higher scale level," Weinstein said.
All of the guests agree that support from other designers and from the community will help what is currently a fledgling industry in the city into something more.
Polly Weinstein, owner and jewelry designer, The Jeweler’s Daughter; Vishaal Melwani, co-founder and CEO, Combatant Gentlemen; Jen Taler, co-owner, The Stitch Factory; Ermelinda Manos, owner and designer, Ermalinda Manos Designs