Mariah Braddock, Communication Design senior

Empower her. We rise to lift her. Stand up for her. These are just a few of the messages of women’s empowerment you can find on clothing designed by Mariah Braddock ’18 (Communication Design).

Mariah is launching a philanthropic fashion company, her., April 18 and is showcasing her designs at the MIAD 2018 Senior Exhibition, open to the public April 20 – May 12, 2018.

“I wanted to combine my love of fashion with communication design and the service and volunteer work I’ve done,” Mariah says. “Through my senior thesis project, I learned that women and families are one of the biggest homeless populations. My company name, her., focuses on those women.”

According to Mariah, 100% of the profits from her company will go to charities such as Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet and Women’s Empowerment International.

EXCELLENT CAREER PREPARATION AT MIAD

Mariah credits her five design internship experiences – at Elmbrook Church, Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation, Olson House, Paris Presents and Kohl’s – and curricular projects with Milwaukee companies 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, Menomonee River Valley and the Pettit National Ice Center with preparing her for career success and to launch her own company.

“The Pettit Center was a class competition for designing visuals for the U.S. National Olympic Speedskating Trials. It tested the boundaries of what I was able to do as a designer,” Mariah says.

Mariah’s design for an 88Nine Radio Milwaukee ad campaign – In the Wings – was selected among the best of her peers’ projects. The radio station implemented the campaign she designed last year.

Mariah transferred to MIAD during her first year of college, after realizing her passion for design. She said support from scholarships made her MIAD education affordable. She also is currently a resident assistant in MIAD’s TWO50TWO residence hall, and has volunteered at a daycare center and a Goodwill Day Services center.

DESIGNING HER FUTURE

Mariah is selling her designs on sweaters and t-shirts during the 2018 Senior Exhibition’s Opening Reception Friday, April 20, 5 – 9 p.m. at Spring Gallery Night in the Historic Third Ward. The website for her company, empowerherclothing.com, officially launches April 18.

Regular gallery hours for the 2018 Senior Exhibition are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. Public welcome. The MIAD 2018 Senior Exhibition is generously sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.