The Fashion Designer

Keynote Speaker

Beyond the Runway

Linda Rowe Thomas

Linda Rowe Thomas

Linda Rowe Thomas is an awarded fashion designer, author, philanthropist, and motivational speaker who uses her adversities to inspire others. After suffering from severe burns sustained in a house fire as a child, Linda made it her mission to inspire others to love themselves unconditionally. She founded her couture fashion brand Romás by Linda Rowe Thomas and later founded Designing Hope, a 501(c)(3) organization benefiting burn survivors.

In addition to showing at over 10 Fashion weeks around the world, Linda is the first and only burn survivor to showcase on the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week Platform. Celebrity clientele includes: Erica Ash, actress from the hit STARZ series, Survivor's Remorse as well as other notable actresses, singers, and professional athletes.

With a number of accolades under her needle and thread, Linda was named “One to Watch” in 2011 by the New York Examiner. Thomas was also named among the top fashion designers of 2015 and 2016 by the Examiner.com

Additional awards include:

• The Delta Challenge Coin on behalf of President Barak Obama

• 2017 Woman of Excellence Award . . .

& MAYORS HAVE PROCLAIMED MARCH 12th as “LINDA ROWE THOMAS DAY” AND MAY as  “ROMÁS BY LRT DAY” FOR HER COMMITMENT TO BUSINESS AND PHILANTHROPY