Shannon Bingham was self-admittedly a shy girl. A 1996 transplant from Lenox, Iowa, she moved to Omaha to attend hair school and try her hand at city life. Nearly 30 years later, the quiet farm girl has evolved into a prolific Omaha business owner, a prominent advocate, and now a beauty queen. But what catalyzes such transformation?
Bingham’s resume runs deep: an owner of Seven Salon & Boutique, a successful cosmetologist styling hair for private clients and commercial fashion events alike, an international Brand Educator for TIGI and IGK, and Vice Chair of the DHHS Board of Cosmetology. But there’s much more to her than mere titles on paper, an epiphany recently realized through the impact of her work as a double title holder with the Mrs. International® Pageant organization: Mrs. Nebraska International in 2023 and Mrs. Midwest International in 2024.
Freshly returned from the 2024 Mrs. International pageant, Bingham is wisely taking a season to reflect before deciding what’s next. She sat down with Elkhorn City Lifestyle to discuss the metamorphosis of her life, as well as fashion’s role in the process.
Her evolution began in the mid-90s amidst Omaha’s underground music scene.
“I was dating band members and being wild, so I was exposed to a lot of underground fashion at that time,” Bingham said. “Back then, it was about huge, wide leg jeans, heavy jewelry, major eyes and dark lips. I rocked short hair, which was really edgy.” She added with a laugh, “And, as we went into the 2000s, we saw flat irons come on the scene and [ironed] our hair for the next 10 years.”
As Bingham’s life changed, so did her tastes in fashion. Becoming a wife, a business owner, and then a mother had her grasping for more classic pieces easy to assemble on the fly. It wasn’t until she was in her 40s that she really began experimenting again.
“As I've come into my 40s, it’s been more fun. My kids are a little older and I've been able to thrive in what my personality is. You’re rediscovering who you truly are, and — all of a sudden — you get to lock on to this new era and experiment again."
As Bingham’s sense of self grew, so did her confidence, soon landing her in the pageant world with the platform of “Adoption As An Option,” opening doors for her to share the story of adopting her first son, Seth, on multiple stages, including before Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen at the Nebraska State Capitol where he signed a proclamation naming November “Adoption Month” in Nebraska.
“Going into pageantry, I had to move from being stuck in this hairdresser feel — we tend to wear all black — into what I felt confident in, what I felt was the most powerful version of myself.” Bingham drew inspiration from social media influencers like Sammi Jefcoate and rock goddess Debbie Harry of band Blondie. “It's not that you mimic them, but you draw inspiration off their fashion journey. [You] find dupes that [you] feel confident in. You become grounded in what your style really is.”
Bingham's adventurousness only grew after she and business partner Nikki Haney renovated their salon, doubling the space to include a carefully curated boutique, further spurring her creativity and experimentation.
"Having fun with fashion is what I think people forget," said Bingham. "Trying new things... Wearing the dress... Going on a limb... Changing the landscape of how you portray yourself. You can always fall back on your casual basics, but why not push the boundaries?"
Bingham was on a journey — pushing the needle by trying new looks — until one day, “I was like, 'There she is!' It was like my 90s version of me, but grown up. Understanding what it felt like to put on that garment, that version of myself, and it felt like home.”
Yes, Bingham discovered her true self, but she's not done yet. Concerning her future, she said, “My hands are open. God's not done doing what he's doing in me. I'm here to serve. Boldly. And unapologetically. There’s some big things I’m discussing, impacting a lot more than my own little world. My goal is not to be famous, but to inspire and make a positive impact — however that looks.”
With a coy smile, she added, “Part of being fashion forward is that anticipation of what's next. I gotta keep people guessing. And that's the beauty of it… I'm always going to evolve."
"I gotta keep people guessing. I'm always going to evolve.”
"I'm here to serve. Boldly. And unapologetically.”