Sarah Brucker honored during start of Milwaukee Fashion Week

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Sarah Brucker, the popular Milwaukee makeup artist and business owner who was killed in a fire in Delafield in August was honored on Sunday night, September 22nd.

36-year-old Brucker was found dead inside her Delafield home on August 7th following a five-alarm fire.

On Sunday night, Brucker was honored during the start of Milwaukee's Fashion Week. The lights dimmed for a runway show that kicked off the city's first-ever Fashion Week.

But on what was called a "monumental night," one of Fashion Week's biggest advocates was missing.

"She basically just wanted a stronger fashion community," Jenny Kuehneman said.

Brucker was one of five women who was recognized for the impact they had on the local fashion community.

"I guess mostly I`m just extremely sad that she`s not here because this event and this movement is something that she has been pioneering and working towards," Kuehneman said.

Kuehneman says Brucker always felt Milwaukee's fashion scene was on the brink of something bigger.

"She was like 'it`s a small Chicago. It`s a small New York' and she definitely felt like it was something that had the potential to be what it is," Kuehneman said.

Brucker was not only well known for makeup artistry, she also co-owned Blush salons in the Third Ward and Mequon with Jhoesy Leon.

Additionally, Brucker's personal style served as inspiration for Sunday's runway show.

"She was classic and bubbly and fun and that`s what we`re going for.  It`s that classic look, the buns, the bright lips," Wren Solares said.

At 36 years old, Brucker's death is being felt throughout Milwaukee's small fashion scene, but they say this event is her legacy.

"She created a movement and that movement is gonna continue for years to come," Solares said.

14 fire departments spent hours getting the August fire under control.

Brucker had two children, who were not home at the time of the incident. The fire remains under investigation.