My Story
by Cos Lindstrom As I drove down I-76 towards the Nebraska border, I looked in my rear view mirror at the beautiful mountains and the typical clear blue skies of Colorado. I told myself I’d miss this view, but knew some exciting adventures were ahead, and they definitely weren’t driving through the flat lands of Nebraska. Since I was 13 years old, photography has always been a passion of mine. It started off as just a hobby, but as I tapped into the potential I had for the skill, I realized this was something that I could make a living at. My mom got me a Polaroid camera one day as a present. I thought it was the neatest thing ever; it was magic to see a photo appear just by shaking it after it spat out at the end of the camera. The extreme excitement or disappointment about how my photo would turn out kept me on the edge. But as I grew in my skill, I wasted less and less camera film. I became better at working my “craft”, knowing the photos would turn out great after shaking it for 30 seconds. In high school, I lost my passion for photography for awhile and discovered the thrill of chasing girls in high school and playing for the football team. I picked up photography again in 2001 when I purchased an old Ricoh 35mm film camera. I realized how much I missed shooting and made a point of not putting anything else in front of what I loved the most in life. In college I was the athletics photographer for Metro State University. I had the opportunity to travel the country and do what I loved. I regularly contributed
athletics photos to the college paper, The Metropolitan, where I became good friends with a fellow student, Angel Foster. She gave me a heads up on an assignment that the paper was looking for a athletics photographer and so I jumped at the opening and landed it. One afternoon after a basketball game, she approached me about a fashion event needing coverage. I volunteered. Little did I know my journey into the fashion world began the moment I stepped into the modeling scene. Let’s get back to the present. As I neared the Colorado border on that sunny afternoon, I was relocating to the east coast to do a tour of duty, recharge my creative side and network with models in Boston, New York, and Providence. I did not know how long I’d be there. I figured I’d shoot until I was ready to come back home. And that’s what I did for six months As time went on I realized how much I missed the Colorado fashion scene, and how active it was year round, something Boston, Providence and sometimes even N.Y did not have. I missed the talented models, great designers and the non-stop fashion shows. As I neared my time to come back I flew back into Denver to do some shoots two weeks before I made my final decision when I would come home. I met up with Denver designer, Eddie Ricke, for breakfast at Pete’s Kitchen and somehow got into talking about talented designers and how I missed seeing them on the runway. And that is where this project got its start.
Diversity – The Designer’s Show Like sewn fabric, the stitches represent the experiences in our lives. When these life experiences are combined we create a life, a dress, and a story. Each designer in the Diversity fashion show has one and tonight they tell theirs. When you go to the fashion runway show, you see talented models walk to the music wearing some of the best designs Denver has to offer. During the show we get immersed in the music and the art. Each designer showcases a few of their pieces on the models. Then, after the designer has showed, we see them briefly for ten seconds as they wave and quickly disappear behind the curtain. Have you always wanted to know more about the passion behind that one design that caught your eye? Or how they got the inspiration for the all the designs and wanted to know more about them outside of fashion? I did and so I wanted to create a project called the Diversity Shoot, showcasing some of Colorado’s most talented designers. Taking the concept further, Eddie and I thought it would be really cool to see them wearing one of their designs and modeling; that idea was genius! I soon compiled a list of 27+ designers and reached out to them. Nearly all of them were on board with my pitch and wanting this idea to become a reality. Over a three month period, I had been secretly meeting with them in groups of 15 or more at Civic Center Park taking photos of them modeling for me. Some embraced modeling. Some were super nervous. In the end we all had a great time, and I captured exactly what I wanted for the project. One afternoon I met up with Richard Kalisher, publisher of NUE Magazine. I told him about my project and he was so intrigued by it, He offered to create a dedicated issue called NUE Denver. I could barely hold my excitement knowing this concept, originally intended as a Facebook post, was becoming a magazine issue and possibly more. As we talked further, we entertained the thought of a putting on a fashion show where over 120 models would walk with the 25+ designers on the runway. The concept and idea was something that had not been done in Denver fashion and to this caliber. I loved everything about the idea and so the planning begun. With the NUE Magazine and additional sponsor Colorado Expression Magazine the ultimate goal is to create a fashion show and magazine where the designers are the attention. The focus falls on them for one night, highlighting their stories and the lives transformed by their designs.
On the Runway Sarah Ake Jaymie Alexander Samantha Aragon Gabrial Beck Alison Berger Goldie Burnette Francis De Roces Crystla Garcia Tara Hari Heather Krogemann Andrea Li Jade Locke Brooks Luby Luckey Gabriela Martinez Jami Oliver Darlene Ritz Sherry Rivard Xavia Schmidt James Silvrants Mina Stevens Andreas Tsagas Tiana Weidert Mellissa Wiley Featured Designers Maggie Burns Radha Kotliarsky Mona Lucero Eddie Ricke Duane Topping Gino Velardi Kotomi Yoshida Notable Mentions Andrew Flatland Shawn Schram
Sarah Ake For the SAKE of Him Hello my name is Sarah Ake. I’m the founder and designer of For the SAKE of Him clothing brand. I am 23 years old and based in Southern California. Since childhood I have had a passion for the arts, creating and manipulating fabric soon followed. My creations are very eclectic and trendy. I view fashion to be what anyone makes it, and is a place for individuality. I’ve been able to gain an ample amount of knowledge from previous shows in the past. I’ve been a part of over 5 shows within my community, and have had the honor of working alongside with several other local brands. These experiences have been landmarks in my young career. I believe that the diverse style that I acquire, in terms of apparel and accessories, can make a valuable contribution to your outcome.
facebook.com/For-The-Sake-Of-HimClothing-352963148412850/
Within my career I have been constantly challenged in skill, experience and education to perform designing tasks efficiently. During my time at work, I have been commended on my ability to create masterpieces from mere penciled designs to architecture and images that inspire me. Since I have had the opportunity of working with top designers in Los Angeles such as: Karen Zambos and her team directly, I developed into the artist and designer I am today. Fashion has always beneficially aided me throughout my journey in life, so why wouldn’t I share this passion with the rest of the world. My inspiration roots from the natural movement and characteristics of modern architecture. I use a mixture of basic and complex fabric to create designs that reflect the latest trends and fashions. Each piece is made with scrupulous attention to quality and independent design. I’ve personally been consumed by the earths textile manufacture and have been enthralled on how to make it more relevant in order to personally represent a fixture on its own.
Jayme Alexander Jayme’s Touch Fashions Fashion is my passion! As far back as I can remember, I have been driven to share my vision of enhancing confidence through beauty. The joy I have experienced doing hair and makeover and custom-made outfits for friends and seeing the joy they’ve experienced has been a gift from above. Then God transformed my hobby into my expertise! God has given me a vision to bring out the confidence by making classy, sassy outfits and showing them off through fashion shows. I enjoy bringing my fashions to all sizes shapes and colors. Not only do I create beautiful fashions, I’m also a photographer. I love to see my fashions with the most beautiful models showcasing my Jaymie’s Touch Fashions. I also work with kids on my first kids magazine and on my third kids fashion show. This gives the kids an opportunity for them to share their gifts from above! It also gives them a reason to strive for their dreams, a reason to take a step towards a positive way of life..
Lil Fresh Sam Infatué Lil’FreshSam is a distinguished fashion designer and innovative personal stylist. Sam’s passion for fashion originated from a young age and flourished immensely after graduating from School Of Style in Los Angeles, California. With a keen eye for transforming clients from common to extraordinary, it’s what sets her apart from the competition. Although Lil’FreshSam has styled and created custom pieces for international names as well as brands like Iggy Azealia, The Fray, UnderAmor, Skull Candy and more. what brings her the most satisfaction is diversifying the style of the everyday mother, brother, sister, friend and giving them the confidence, the sense of fearlessness everyone should possess.
www.infatueclothing.com Instagram: @infatueclothing Twitter: @infatueclothing
Since prominent fashion designer Lil’FreshSam launched Infatué in 2012, the energy surrounding the company has involved more than just great clothing. The Infatué brand is build on passion and the empowerment of others in pursuit of their own. This sentiment is reflected in the high-end, one-of-a-kind pieces that Infatué is known for. Traditionally sophisticated pieces are sharpened by fearless prints and stunningly innovative design work. The result is cutting edge, cross-cultural fashion for true trendsetters. Infatué’s mark on the fashion landscape extends from France to LA to New York, and back again. A testament to brand’s versatility, the clothing has been worn at national award shows, in glossy pages of fashion magazines, and on the backs of its celebrity clients at notable appearances. Simply state, Infatue is both bold and wearable; consistently designed to project the uniqueness and confidence of its clientele as they hustle toward excellence.
Allison Nicole Berger Alison Nicole Designs Allison Nicole Berger, head designer and owner of Allison Nicole Designs, was born and raised in Laurel, Maryland. Her love for sewing sparked at a very young age as she saw all the beautiful creations her grandmother made. “I remember when I was little my grandmother would always be doing hand-embroidery and painting beautiful things like flowers, butterflies, and animals (a lot of natural things). We have many quilts that were hand-sewn by her, and she hand-embroidered and painted beautiful designs on each one. I remember sewing and painting with her and I am so grateful that she helped me and taught me many things. Even though she is not with us anymore, she will always be with me in spirit.” Allison then displayed her passion for design at the early age of 8, when she learned to use her grandmother’s sewing machine. She got hooked on Project Runway, and then her grandmother got her a sewing machine for Christmas when she was 12. As she grew, so did her love for creativity and art. She found pleasure in drawing and transforming two dimensional patterns and drawings into real, tangible clothing.
www. allisonnicoledesigns.com
Later, Allison worked and interned with a few different sewing/design studios throughout high school and college and now has her B.S. in Apparel and Merchandising/ Apparel Design and Production. Allison has decided to develop her own line and follow her dreams. Her line, Allison Nicole Designs, is inspired by the female figure, soft and flowing fabrics and florals. The main design elements complete a stunning array of silhouette, color and the perfect mix of textures. “When I think of designing, I think of the female figure, soft and flowing fabrics, flowers, something that is pleasing to look at, and something that is flattering on the female figure.” Allison believes that all women are beautiful and unique, and she strives to create custom garments specifically for you. Making stunning apparel that makes you feel gorgeous is what she loves! She can also alter your current wardrobe to fit you perfectly. “We have beautiful designs and services for all shapes and sizes. We specialize in Eveningwear, Special Occasions, Red Carpet Events, and Bridal. All designs are made to order with custom fitting. We also create custom apparel, creating whatever your heart desires. Lastly, we offer professional alteration services.”
Tonya “Goldie” Burnette GoldenDiva Designs Tonya “Goldie” Burnette is the CEO and Founder of GoldenDiva Designs (G.D.D.) Founded in 2007, GoldenDiva has made quite a remarkable imprint here in Denver, CO with supporters that stretch back decades. Born in Orangeburg, SC, Goldie moved to Denver in 1988 and she started sewing and designing her own outfits back in 2005. Fashion is my way of life! Sheek, Sexy and Daring. Jazzy, Urban and Beautiful, G.D.D is a combination of all these things and then some.. The woman that wears G.D.D. it gives her a sense of Confidence if it was none there before. It makes her feel beautiful without someone having to tell her. It reassures the woman whether she is a size 2 or a size 22, that she doesn’t have to fit in a box for what SOCIETY feels is a normal size, or beautiful. So Curvy women, small women and women of any nationality can rock G.D.D. and feel empowered.
Facebook: GoldenDiva Designs Instagram: @goldieismyname Snapchat: thedivaiam Twitter: @goldendivaa goldendivadesigns@yahoo.com
My mother had suffered from Sarcoma cancer; it left a few times but always came back , each time getting worse. Right before her last surgery I produced my first fashion show in honor of my mother and the fight against sarcoma cancer. So you now I always have yellow in my collection in honor of her and her fight against that ugly disease. We had a wonderful turnout. I saw my clothes on the runway and I was reminded once again of why I love fashion. And that’s because we have the platform to make people look and feel beautiful. My inspirations are colors and my mother. I love using bright beautiful colors/prints in my collection. It represents me as a designer, because there is nothing blah or suttle about me. My personality is BIG, so why not make my clothes out of eye catching prints and beautiful colors. To make others feel beautiful.
Francis Roces KomonoDragons KimonoDragons was established in 1999, in Denver. Designer Francis Roces sought to create a clothing line that would incorporate Asian elements, retro stylings, with modern textiles. It’s a hybrid clothing collection for men and women that can be used to accent an outfit or to reflect an individual perspective.Â
www. kimonodragonsfdr.com facebook.com/FRoces/
Crystal Garcia Instructions Designs “I moved to Denver in 2009 and as soon as I got here, I had so much more mental clarity and space in my brain for new things!” says Crystal Garcia, the Pueblo native behind Instructions Designs. She moved to Denver for the increased opportunities. Garcia claims she had no real fashion background when she moved here, and was inspired by the city to start making her own designs. First, it was small things such as lapels and scarves, but as the self-taught seamstress got more confident in her designs and sewing capabilities, she started making more things for herself. “I will take things I’ve seen in boutiques, magazines, fabric stores, etc., and almost totally replicate them to fit my body, how I want them to.”
www. facebook.com/crystal.g85
Garcia describes her designs as “night-life, higher fashion, clubbing, and party wear”, all while giggling to herself and reflecting on the times her models were dressed “a little risqué”. By using a combination of dark colors with sensual fabrics like lace and mesh, she draws her inspiration now from higher fashion, as well as international styles. “All of a sudden, I would just see fabric in stores and start thinking ‘Oh, that would look nice as a scarf ’, or ‘I could make a really nice jacket out of that’. I really enjoy playing with things that people would not usually put together, and making them work well.” So, how does someone go from making themselves scarves, to dressing models for a runway show? Put simply, you ask. “I just started researching local fashion shows, reaching out to the people putting them on, and asking what I could do to be involved. Each show is unique, and my designs for every show will reflect that. I design my outfits around the particular show, and even my models themselves. I do not make more than one or two of a design. There are no two women who are exactly alike, and I want my designs to reflect that. This is also how I choose my models, I want to reflect and praise the diversity we have as women, size, shape, color, height, age, everything we are is unique.” Crystal is currently very involved in the Denver fashion scene, but if you are interested in seeing her work in Denver, you might be running out of time. “I’m going to move to a bigger city next, one with a bigger fashion scene. I’m starting to outgrow where I am, and I’m excited to see what will come next.”
Tara Hari Tara Hari Couture For Tara Hari Couture, creativity is food for the Soul. Throughout her life, she indulged in her love for art, architecture, design, fashion, and beauty of nature and life. Having a precious talent for art throughout her youth, she trained in various art techniques, graphic art and painting. From an early age, she expressed an interest in design and fashion. As a child she drew princess dresses in her sister journal. But it wasn’t until her teen years, when she immersed herself in the world of fashion and she submitted a series of sketches to a several design competition, that she was recognized for her design. After this recognition she worked as a freelance fashion consultant for two fashion magazines. After that she opened her own Couture Atelier in Europe. In late 1980s, she launched her own label. The brand developed reputation for originality and quality tailoring with bold ready to wear pieces made in original fabrics and it was selling in high-end stores.
www. taraharicouture.com
Upon moving to the United States she continued to build her label. She graduated with honors as a Fashion Designer at the Art Institute of Colorado with Portfolio per Excellence award for the best portfolio.
Heather Krogemann Alien Earth Designs Heather Krogemann specializes in costume and cosplay design. She attributes her unique style to her life experiences and art background. Growing up in a large, low-income family, she didn’t have many choices after high school, so she joined the US Army. In the Army she was a mechanic and rebuilt engines and transmissions while serving during Operation Desert Storm. After getting out of the Army she still really didn’t know what she wanted to do for career. Being a single mother, she had to find a secure career to support herself and her son, so she became a Washington State Patrol Officer. Even though she had a great career with job security, she still longed to do more with her life. In her spare time she created and designed things like chiefs coins and coloring books for the State Patrol. It never quite seemed to be enough, and she felt an strong desire to move into an artistic field, outside the State Patrol.
facebook.com/alienearthdesigns Instragram: @alienearthdesign
Ever since Heather was a little girl, and could pick up a pencil, she has been drawing. It has always been a part of her and she knew she needed to follow this passion. One day she worked up the courage to follow that dream and enrolled in classes at the Art Institute of Seattle on a fulltime basis. It was a difficult journey juggling full-time classes, full-time employment with the State Patrol, and being a single mom. Time and time again people told her that she would fail. That it was to hard to manage all of it and be successful. This only drove her to prove them all wrong. In 2009, four years after starting, she graduated from the Art Institute with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Media Arts and Animation. She was finally on her way to working in the Arts and after 10 years of service. Shortly after entering this new phase of her life, she was able to explore her creative talents in ways she hadn’t imagined before. She was introduced to wearable art and took to it immediately. Her first piece of wearable art was exhibited in Hawaii’s Fashion Week and was then exhibited at a studio in New York for a year. The experience in wearable art has transformed into a love of costuming and cosplay design. She has filled several commissions for cosplayers across the country, ranging from Marvel superheroes to anime characters. Heather truly believes the being able to do what you love everyday is one of the things that makes her happy. This statement couldn’t be any truer and it shows in the quality and care she puts into each of her commissioned works.
Jade Locke The Secret Boutique “If I were going to design a wedding dress created in your favorite color or inspired by your favorite super heroine what and who would you choose?” These are just some of the questions alternative wedding gown designer, Jade Locke asks her clients at their initial consultations. Jade specializes in wedding gowns that are custom made for the bride that desires something different. Brides that want cosplay, gothic bustle gowns, or steam punk theme dresses are her most common clients. With over 25 years of sewing experience and 15 years in the business of corsets, her dresses stand out. Her dramatic and exquisite designs and vast experience of fitting women from size 2 to 32, remotely and locally, set her apart from other designers.
www. thesecretboutique.com etsy.com/shop/thesecretboutique fb.me/thesecretboutiquejadelocke Instagram: thesecretboutiquejadelocke
Jade grew up in the Midwest, a lover of nature, history, and horseback riding. Shortly after a tragic life turning event, she began designing dresses at the age of 7. Under the encouragement of her Grandmother and Mother she never stopped sewing and designing. Her first bridal gown design was her own, a red silk taffeta gothic bustle gown, inspired by the famous red gown worn by Winona Ryder, in Bram Stoker’s movie, Dracula. In 2010, she moved to Colorado and worked as a couture seamstress under her mentor, Nora McCray. Moving to the Denver, Colorado area opened up connections within the Denver fashion industry. With only a handful of fashion design courses, a natural ability for business & working with brides, and the help of the Denver fashion scene, she transformed The Secret Boutique from a hobby to a business. The Secret Boutique is her online website where you can buy her custom made bridal, fantasy masquerade, and ready-to-wear prom dresses. While many of her designs are shipped out each week to all over the world, she can accommodate personal fittings in Denver, Colorado. From hand dyed ombre silk corsets and skirts, to dramatic gothic gowns, and faux leather corset dresses, you can be sure to find something as unique as you. When the designer is not behind her sewing machine, you can find her riding her horse, hiking, or exploring the Rocky Mountains with her husband.
Credits: Cos Lindstrom, Ayvin Arthur photography, Shelly Schalamon, Dorotka Modelka, & Michael Thomas Hanke, CWinn Designs.
Brooks Luby Brooks LTD Brooks LTD, founded in 1974, is the dream of the sole designer and visionary, Brooks Luby. A Colorado native, educated at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Brooks draws inspiration from the world around her. As a professional fashion designer and couturier, her awareness of advances in fabric technology as well as changes in fashion influences and lifestyle keep her a step ahead. The newest trends become woven into her ever-changing collections. In a word, Brooks’ style evolves without losing its creative focus. Brooks encourages her clients and future clients to use her decades of fashion and style experience for your wardrobe. Her keen eye for design and fit has resulted in a remarkable result for her many clients in the past. Modern trends blended with timeless elements are inspiration for each client’s piece. Brooks collaborates closely with her clients to ensure the most stunning look for their personal style. This is what makes the Brooks LTD atelier an influencer in the Denver fashion scene.
www. brooksltd.net facebook.com/BrooksDenverFashion Instagram: @brooksltd Brooks LTD 1616 14th St. #1F Denver, CO 80202 303.573.3801 designroom@brooksltd.net
Most recently, Brooks LTD showcased a womenswear collection called Town & Country. Each piece glorified the advanced style of sophisticated women with modern edge. All of the models were grey haired beauties in sheer skirts and cutout bodices. Embracing the female form is not only for the 20-something’s. This collection proved that age is just a number and great style is forever. A breast cancer survivor since 1990, Brooks’s determination to succeed and serve has been enhanced by her experience. As a result, she’s more empathetic and understanding of women’s needs. “I approach each project as an art form. I love anything fashion and I am proud to say that I have total control of my product from start to finish. This is a lost art in today’s society. I sketch, drape, cut, fit and sew each one of a kind garment. I focus on attention to details, perfecting handmade qualities in each design.” Brooks LTD is committed to quality fit, form, and function with every piece a client wears from our atelier. Bespoke fashion is not just sophisticated clothing. It’s truly custom-designed self-expression. This is the look of luxurious clothing for the sophisticated woman’s thriving lifestyle.
Luckey Robert’s Re-Creations Joshua Robert Luckey-Riddle is known to his family and colleagues simply as Luckey. Originally from Chicago, he moved to Denver, Colorado in the fall of 1998. He worked in Banquet Services until 2013. Back in Chicago, from 1995 -1996, Luckey worked as a professional female impersonator known as Lady Jazzmynn D’Shee for a production company called Elegant Touch. Being of meager means and almost indigent, he had to come up with inexpensive and creative ways to construct alluring costumes in which to entertain his fans, and thus, his journey into up cycling began. His innate ability for upcycling has earned him the affectation of “Frankenstein of the fashion world”. In March of 2015, Luckey got married to Rick Riddle and decided to pursue his secret passion of fashion and design, and so back to school he went, with his first stop being Emily Griffith Technical College, where he received his Associates Degree in Fashion and Design.
FB: Joshua Luckey-Riddle & Robert’s Rift
Instagram: @mr.riddle4ever jeyel1118@gmail.com
With his creative and artistic passions reignited, immediately after graduation Luckey enrolled into Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design to pursue a BFA with an emphasis on Fashion and Design. Luckey is currently studying under great instructors such as Darlene C. Ritz and Jade Winters. In his spare time Luckey is an avid advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS. Luckey currently has his own upstart design company called Robert’s Re-Creations, “where we transform the mundane into wearable art.” The tagline for his company is “Imagine the Possibilities”. Luckey and his husband Rick Riddle-Luckey, now reside in Lakewood Colorado with their four fur babies, a chihuahua named Frankie and three felines named Odin, Aurora and Princess.
Gabriela Martinez Gabriela Designs Gabriela Martinez, beguiled with fashion at the young age of 8, the award-winning Latina Fashion Designer breathes a new and unique inventiveness and pure elegance into her alluring, sophisticated collection of eveningwear. Since her arrival in Denver in 2003, she has infused a fresh spirit into the Denver fashion scene, quickly carving her own niche. Born in Los Angeles in 1974, one of five sisters, she began creating doll clothes and then one-of-a-kind ward-robes for family and friends. At age 17 she began her formal education at the Universidad Regional del Norte in Chihuahua, Mexico where her family had relocated. She received her Bachelor Degree in Fashion Design and opened her first modest atelier at age 22, importing fabrics from New York and California to Mexico, for her growing client base.
www. gabrielacouture.com facebook.com/GabrielaDesignsDenver
Gabriela was named the 2013 Denver Fashion Designer of the year by RAW. In 2011 she was a Denver Rising Fashion Star in the category of evening wear and special occasion fashion. In 2010, Fashion and Creative Entrepreneur (FACE) cited her as Best Special Occasion Designer, and she was voted 1st place in the Best Design category at the 2010 Denver Fashion Festival. Gabriela Designs is not just a place where we can design, sew or alter a garment, it is the place where a piece of fabric becomes something beautiful and amazing.
Jami Oliver / LeiVa StreetLore Das Grüne Tutu - a short biography of LeiVa, the woman behind StreetLore Behind greatness is a starting point. For Jami Oliver, an up and coming designer out of Denver, that starting point was with a green tutu. “I remember running around with the boys. Climbing trees, riding bikes, getting all muddy, I was a proper tomboy. The only difference being I did it all in my bright-green, sequence tutu.” Oliver, spent most of her life in the Aspen Valley, only to drop everything, and move to Denver five years ago to pursue her dream of being a full time fashion designer.
Facebook: StreetLore Instagram: @streetlorefashion
Her first design projects started in high school, taking the same clothes everyone else had, and making them uniquely her own. “Growing up, everyone looked the same, and wore the same things because we had limited options for where we could shop.”, said Jami, of her humble beginnings. “I think that growing up in the Valley was really beneficial for me, along with my inspiration, because it brought so many different kinds of people from all over the world to my doorstep! I was working around the music scene there as a cocktail waitress, so I was able to meet a lot of the bands, artists, and genuinely interesting people who came through town. I had a really good life, but it got to the point where I realized I was not growing anymore. So, I left. I know what I am capable of, and what I can do. I could not stay somewhere that I was not growing” Now based in Denver, the green tutu might be small, but Jami is bigger than ever, and ready to introduce her alter ego, LeiVa. “LeiVa is a play on words from the German word, Liebe, meaning ‘to love’. Before I moved to Denver, I took a trip to Europe, that changed how I viewed fashion and gave me the confidence in myself to make that leap. I felt having a German word is fitting, but also my main message is love. My goal with my designs is to create something that my models and clients, feel good about and happy to wear. Fashion is how you express yourself without saying anything, and I want to encourage self-love through my designs.” LeiVa is big, bad, confident, and she is driven. Most importantly, she hopes to empower others through her one-of-a-kind custom pieces.
Darlene Ritz DCR Studios “Fashion is a celebration, my Momma taught me that.” DCR Studios is designed with quality construction, impeccable fit, and high fashion aesthetics. Our motto is “Clothes should fit the body, you should not have to alter your body to fit the clothes”. Everyone deserves to feel good in his or her own skin. Our garments are designed specifically for the average sized human with above average taste. We focused specifically on those sizes often left out of traditional sizes and plus sizes; we are designing specifically for sizes 8 to 14. DCR studios is the brainchild of Dr. Darlene C. Ritz and has been decades in the making. Dr. Ritz has designed in New York city, Los Angeles, San Diego, Tokyo, Toronto, and many other cities. Darlene, a Colorado native, returned to her home state in 2014 to launch the Fashion Design department at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design.
www. dcrstudios.com Instagram: @dcr_studios Twitter: @studios_dcr
As a scholar/practitioner, Darlene continues to practice her craft and inspire the next generation of industry professionals. DCR Studios began as a way to inspire students to take chances and branch into independent collection. Darlene has been training the next generation of fashion industry professionals since 2003. This clothing line began as a classroom experiment. One day, when training students how to develop fashion projects as independent designers, a student asked “Have you ever done this? Like really done this?” And to be honest, I had not developed a line as an independent designer; all of my design work had been for large companies. So I set out to prove to my students that they can indeed achieve their goals of becoming independent designers by doing what I was teaching. The work has been creative and exciting and fulfilling.
Sherry Rivard Sherry’s Angels Sherry Rivard of Sherry’s Angels is one of the most influential designers in Denver’s fashion industry today. Her iconic designer wings have been found on runways across the state of Colorado as she continues to build on her creativity, support, and flying to new heights with her innovative accessories. Raised in Encino, California, Sherry was a horse trainer who moved to Colorado when she was 22. She lost her aspirations to become a model after unpleasant industry experiences, which led her toward working with her secondary passion in equestrian arts. However, Sherry’s fate was on the horizon before she herself knew the path where she was being led. She remarks, “I suppose the wings held a big significance in my life on finally moving forward and taking flight into my new life.” After years of involvement in an abusive marriage, Sherry made up her mind to divorce her husband. Years after becoming a single parent, Sherry’s daughter Amanda became enamored with the same ideology to pursue modeling, and Ms. Rivard was on her way down that path again. Sherry’s support for her daughter’s dream held active even when the agencies gave less than desirable results. Amanda’s bruised agency experiences were the catalyst to Sherry opening her own Model Management business, and Sherry’s Angels were born taking flight. Sherry’s mission is to make the industry less complicated for new models while giving them a chance to feel and look unique.Sherry’s endeavors were temporarily taken away after she was enduring a work injury leaving her with an issue and leading her to back surgery. Once she was back on her feet, she wanted to be more involved in the fashion industry. By this point, Amanda’s modeling career was steady, and Sheery started designing dresses for shows. Her inspiration came from both her daughter and her love for Halloween, where she began developing wings to represent her models. Sherry’s designs lead you down more than the runway. They lead you to a fantasy visual experience and are a delight to the eyes. Not only are her models experiencing a sense of grace, but the audience also gets to go along on a ride through the imagination. “My angels were my models.” Once she began partnering with her daughter on designing and producing shows, the synergy brought everything together including clothing designer, Melissa Ann. Her team now has ten appearances under her belt and isn’t ready to jump off this cloud anytime soon. - Eve Grey
Xavia Schmidt Discerpo. Necto. Decrepitus. My name is Xavia. I’m a Colorado native, and a creative pirate. I’m all about thinking outside the circle, and I love mixed media and recycled materials. I would consider myself an artist and designer before a seamstress, but I haven’t had a lot of time to create traditional art over the last few years. I’ve been very focused on sewing and learning the basics of commercial photography. Being completely self taught, I am always exploring new techniques in many different art forms. Then, by combining techniques from multiple medias, to create what I like to call wearable sculptures. I didn’t want to name my clothing line after myself. I only wanted it to reflect my mission as an artist, and so Discerpo. Necto. Decrepitus. was born. Discerpo. Necto. Decrepitus. in Latin, loosely translated means to sever or cut and bind the decrepit.
www.xavia.tv Instagram: @xaviaspretties facebook.com/DiscerpoNectoDecrepitus
I enjoy the concept of decay. I generally enjoy working with old materials… Unless a material really speaks to me, or I can’t find something old that fits with my vision of the piece. I do my best to alter, or antique it by dying, painting or distressing the edges… So that the finished piece has a very specific look. I want to achieve a look that that not only reflects me as the designer but also speaks to my customer. I want my work to look like old moth eaten, rained on rusted costumes that have been hidden in the dressing room of an old abandoned theater. I want my pieces to feel rich, exotic and full of history, but at the same time feel comfortable, sturdy, and well constructed. I try to create pieces that can be dressed up or down and worn anywhere. I would like my work to reflect the beauty that can be found in the constant decay and destruction of our environments. I don’t feel I have completely achieved this in any piece yet but stay tuned, for I am working very hard on refining this vision into artistic and creative pieces of clothing…
James Silvrants James Etc. / JSR Hair Design James Silvrants grew up in a small town in Nebraska. In 1975, he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, and attended the University of Hair Design. He has been a licensed and practicing hairstylist for 42 years. As part of his practice, he has done makeup for photo shoots, fashion shows, and small theatrical venues. James was taught to hand sew by both of his grandmothers and taught machine sewing by his mother. He grew up sewing Barbie Doll clothes for his sister and cousins. Over the years, he also took numerous sewing classes from Emily Griffith Opportunity School. He started sewing dresses and costumes for drag queens in the 1990s. Currently, James designs cocktail, evening, wedding, and couture dresses, and is working on a men’s line.
facebook.com/JamesEtcjsrHairDesign
His work has show in Forever Darling Fashion Shows I, II,and III.; the Denver Public Library Fashion Shows I and II; and numerous other fashion shows over the years. He was featured in the Red Ball Fashion Show, a fund raiser for Colorado Aids Project (CAP) during Seasons 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. In the Spring of 2017, he was a headliner for the Denver Unique Week of Fashion. “My designs are inspired by the fabrics that I work with. My fabric’s come from Thrift Stores, Yard Sales and Flea Markets. My client’s bring me fabric from their travels abroad. I consider myself a fabric recycles and green friendly. That is why my designs are one of a kind.”
Mina Stevens Morbid Creations Design My name is Mina Stevens and I am the proud owner of Morbid Creations Designs. I consider myself more of an artist rather than just a designer, as I create more than just designs. I delve into many different aspects of art including but not limited to make-up, painting, digital art, and photography. I started drawing when I was a small child. I remember sitting on our couch while my mom was cleaning, she always cleaned to the oldies music. From Ritchie Valens to Janis Joplin. As I sat there drawing my surroundings for hours, every possible detail, not really thinking about anything but drawing and listening to the radio. My mom stopped and asked what I was doing. I showed her and her mouth dropped open. I can remember the shock on my parents faces, my father an artist himself, was so proud of me. I never really considered myself an artist, I just did it when I felt the urge. As an adult I acquired a small Coolpix camera. I would photograph my niece, who was my first model; this is when I first got the photographers itch. I modeled a little but my passion was always creating the art.
www. MorbidMina.com facebook.com/MorbidMina patreon.com/minastevensofficial Instagram: @msmorbidcreator snapchat: minstevensphoto
About ten years later, I have taught myself photo editing and manipulation. I wanted to create all these amazing themed shoots with flowing gowns, but as a mother of three, I didn’t have money to buy these flowy gowns, so I decided to make my own. Did I sew? Nope, but I figured it out. So now, I am able to create my awesome dream shoots. I was asked to do my first ever fashion show about two years ago, I was shocked and flattered, I am not a designer; I just make what I need for my shoots. So just like my themed shoots, I started doing themed shows, my first being Alice in Wonderland, a favorite of mine. I made it dark as well. I love using blood in my shoots and designs. I have always been inspired by Liz Gilani, who is a local artist, as well as Jessica Drossin and Diana Levin. Tim And Burton is my hero for sure; I have a lot of respect for him. He made it okay to be creative and dark. With all that said, here I am! I’m an artist, a creator and I could never stop what I do. I love what I have accomplished!
Andreas Tsagas A Tsagas Designs Grecian-born Andreas Tsagas has had a passion for design since he was a child being raised in the beautiful country side of Greece. He would watch his mother and grandmother create beautiful handmade rugs and knitted garments from the wool. They would darn these from their own sheep they raised. He knew one day he would work to create beautiful handmade one-of-a-kind designs himself. After graduating from high school in the late ‘70s, he was invited to apprentice for a very famous and successful furrier in Kastoria, Greece., There he learned everything from design to the tanning of pelts. He eventually traveled thru Europe working for the best fur design houses. In the late ‘90s, Andreas decided to move to the United States, where he felt he could bring some excitement to the fur and leather industry. He started his own design house, A Tsagas Designs, in Denver, Colorado.
www. atsagasdesigns.com facebook.com/atsagas A Tsagas Designs 974 S Monaco Pkwy Denver, Colorado 80224
For the last 20-plus years. A Tsagas Designs has been featured in several publications, walked down the catwalk in Denver fashion week, and designed one-of-a-kind pieces for local celebrities. Andreas looks forward to many more years in the business he has truly found his calling.
Tiana Weidert Mystia Designs Eleven years ago, my foster mother taught me how to use a sewing machine. It didn’t take long before I was altering everything I had in my closet. Seven years ago I landed a professional apprenticeship with a belly dance costume designer. I got to work with internationally acclaimed belly dancers and I learned from the very best about quality and design. I worked in San Francisco and Denver, sewing late into the night, doing hand beading and every type of sewing work. During that time I was in college at CSU studying fashion.
www. mystiadesigns.com facebook.com/mystiadesigns Instagram: @mystiadesigns mystiadesigns23@gmail.com
It was not long before my career started taking priority over my degree. I thought, why am I studying for a degree when I already work my dream job? Well, my dreams got bigger. I started out on my own doing children’s theatre in Boulder. All my little actors would call out, “Miss Tia, Miss Tia!” when I came to do fittings. They always loved their costumes, and that is how I came to call my business Mystia Designs. Those shows were little pay and lots of work. In two weeks, I made enough costumes for over twenty tiny actors. My imagination and ambition almost aways kept me up into the wee hours of the morning making elaborate costumes to make my kiddos smile. I will always look back fondly on those years. My youth, unfortunately, was riddled with hardship and abuse, not cute costumes. I grew up pushing people as far away as I could with my look. I wore black makeup to my ears and Gothic clothing. I wanted nothing to do with mainstream fashion. Then when I finally met my family who I adopted, I was introduced to more gypsy and steampunk style from my mother. My background in belly dance drew me into the glamour and glitter of beading and sequins. Somehow all of those influences came together when I started designing. Mystia Designs is an apparel design company geared to make women feel beautiful while maintaining comfort and movement that came from working with dancers. I am a one-of-a-kind clothing company; I aim to make wardrobe personal again. My goal is to set women free of the molds and boxes that are the cornerstone of traditional, outsourced clothing companies. Let individuality and joy be expressed through what we wear. My mother always used to say “wear your joy”. And that is why I do this, because when someone puts on something that truly makes them feel beautiful, it shows. They walk with more swagger, and hold their head higher.
Mellissa Wiley The Metal Monkey “If I had to guess, I’m on life 6 of 9 cat lives so here’s the stuff you won’t see in the movie...” Nineteen-eighty was the year of the Metal Monkey in the Chinese zodiac. I am true to traits of the monkey so it seemed appropriate to call it as I see it. I design rock n’ roll wear so custom it looks like it is your idea only it’s my high standard of detail that sells it. The fashion was rebellious when I grew up, some made you want to rebel against your parents and others made your eyes want to rebel against you for seeing it. The ‘80s fashion and being in the south wasn’t just terrible; it was traditionally terrible. My love of glamour and decadence comes from the hair bands of the Sunset Strip. I grew up idolizing men that were prettier than women. In the early ‘90s, my family moved to So Cal. At the time my rock friends were trading in their hairspray for flannel and becoming grunge and nirvana fans. I was being introduced to west coast rap & hip hop. My taste in music went from sex, drugs and rock n roll to bros and hoe’s, and the struggle got real.
303-681-7920
What I want to capture in my art is that point where vanity turns to vulgarity, as salty becomes sweet. The moment polarity shifts and its all working together organically make it effortless. I only make one-off designs so I don’t lose sight of what makes me the Metal Monkey. No one is you and that is your power, be original. Wear original.
Maggie Burns Marie-Margot Marie-Margot is the realization of Maggie Burns’ lifelong dream of designing elegant, bridal and evening gowns. The simple truth is that Maggie believes every woman deserves the luxury of a made-to-measure gown for that special occasion when she really wants to communicate her personal style. Each gown is designed specifically for the customer out of the finest fabrics and laces, with particular attention to fit. Additionally, the Marie Margot Spring/Summer 2018 Ready to Wear Collection is available in stores in Denver and Phoenix. A native Coloradoan, Maggie left her corporate job and founded Marie-Margot Bridal Couture. Maggie has a BA from the University of Northern Colorado and an Executive MBA from Colorado State University. She is a member of Fashion Group International. In her spare time, she likes travel, hiking, and spending time with her family. She is a winner of the 303 Magazine DFW Best Designer Award in 2016 and 2017 and was awarded the 2011 Fashion Group International Bridal Rising Star Award.
www. mariemargot.com info@mariemargot.com 303-748-3562
Radha Kotliarsky Lushkills Lushkills is a custom and handmade lifestyle brand. Originating from music and catering to artists, Luskills is the perfect mix of streetwear and elegance. We create clothing specific to clients and their brands, allowing them to express themselves on stage, on the street, and everywhere art takes them. Lushkills is client specific, custom work only. Inquire for more information.
info@lushkills.com Instagram: @lushkills by @radha
Mona Lucero Mona Lucero has a love for both art and fashion. Indeed, Mona’s first memory is of creating a piece of art as a small girl. She vividly remembers drawing her sleeping grandmother’s portrait with a crayon. Voila! She thought the drawing captured her perfectly and at that moment, she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up: she wanted to be an artist. Born in San Francisco and growing up in Grand Junction, Colorado, she felt the contrast of the city and the small town. Her first fashion influence came from the very same grandmother, who stashed her varied handbags in a big steamer trunk. Upon turning 18, she crossed the Eisenhower Tunnel from Grand Junction to Denver to start art school at the University of Colorado. Yes, she was one of those art students who dressed eccentrically, mixing flight suits with fur collars, pink tennis shoes, pearls and colored hair and she avidly read fashion magazines. In her senior year, she realized she had found a new love in fashion design and upon attaining her degree, she moved to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, learning about the fast moving and intriguing fashion world.
www. monalucero.com
Upon her return to the Rocky Mountains, she worked in skiwear and activewear in a variety of fashion industry jobs including assistant patternmaker, screen print artist, technical designer, and designer. High fashion and street wear called, though, and she created her first collection which consisted of hand-dyed and screen printed dresses and separates, eventually selling her bags and clothing in boutiques. In a period of ten years, from 2002 to 2012, she tended to her clientele at her eponymous boutique in Denver’s Lower Highlands neighborhood. Over the years, she has created clothing with many pop culture themes: such as “The Butterfly Collection”; “Beauty & the Beast”; “Fellini-esque”; and “Love, Peace & Truth”. Her list of awards include: “Best Independent Boutique” from Denver’s Westword; 5280 Magazine; Fashion Group International; and nationally from City Magazine in New York City; nomination for Best Denver Designer by 303 Magazine; recognized as a top designer for Denver’s Fashion Project Contest, winner of Westword Magazine Fashion Mastermind Award. In 2017, she was chosen by Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge to design a dress on the bridge.
Eddie Ricke Edwynn Designs Eddie Ricke of Edwynn Designs is new to the fashion scene. He has only been designing for 4 years. In December 2016, he recieved his bochlors degree in fashion design fom the Art Institute of Colorado. He found his love of design while working at the Disneyland resort as a press performer. Once he moved to Colorado, the sky was the limit. With each gown he creates, his passion grows even larger. He wants to thank his husband Matthew for all his amazing support.Â
Duane Topping Topping Designs LLC I am a Denver native, born and raised in east Denver. After serving in the military for over a decade, I retired in 2012. I moved back to Denver and had a difficult time adjusting into civilian life. At that time of my life, PTSD was a constant demon. My service exposed me to the ugliness of war and jaded my view of the world. Following my love of art and fashion, I began to sew to escape the darkness. My inspiration is in my experiences, each garment reflects a step on my journey. My muses are the women who don’t feel like they can be fashionable. Like myself, every woman is different and this is what makes them beautiful. Clothes allow us to be who we want to be, to transcend the barriers placed around us and be who we aspire to become. I want the women wearing my garments to follow my footsteps from the darkness into the light. I wore armor while on active duty, but now I create a new kind of armor. Getting dressed in the morning is armor we use to face the world. I want the women wearing my garments to be empowered and create their own bookmarks on history, showing the world their inner light.
www. toppingdesigns.com toppingdesigns@gmail.com
Gino Velardi Gino Velardi Designs Gino Velardi is recognized as one of Denver’s most prominent fashion designers. His high-energy fashion shows over the past decade created a client base that demands his gorgeous evening gowns, flirty cocktail dresses, and stylish coats for their own fashion collections. Velardi’s love of the female figure shows through his continuous search for designs that complement the woman’s body. Velardi is a self-taught fashion designer that has been refining his craft for over a decade in the Denver market. He works hard to stay in touch with what today’s client is looking for while not straying from his own personality and design esthetic. Velardi’s designs utilize luxurious fabrics to create elegant, high-end designs for the woman that demands to feel beautiful and will not be satisfied until she has achieved her goal!
www. ginovelardi.com
Kotomi Yoshida I grew up in a farming country region in Japan. As I knew how it felt to be oppressed, I sought freedom in how I present myself and how I develop my individuality. After I graduated from high school, I decided to leave my home to study what it means to be “me�. I have BFA in studio arts. Sculpture, academic figure drawing, and watercolor were my favorites as I studied in an art school. My skills in lines and stylized designs through forming my own ideas based on my history, expanded during college. I learned how to find true me in me to become me.
www.kotomiyoshida.com
As I moved to Denver after graduation, I started finding my niche in the fabric world. Three-dimensional sculpture-like designs, sometimes-unflattering structure became very intriguing to me in fashion. I use recycled materials and garments; chop them, use the fabrics, sew many pieces back together; unlike the orthodox way of fashion designs, I start my work with deconstruction. I consider every work of mine as a controlled chaos. I do lots of hand sewing to make interesting lines into garments, I build awkward tensions into fabrics, and I enjoy fashion as a new form of art. It is not just a piece of garment, I put my soul into every work I do. I adore Tokyo street style, goth, and theater costumes. I get inspired by atmosphere, night skies, music, smells, frustration, disappointment, paintings, traumatizing experiences, dreams, movies, and the fabric itself. Quite often I feel like fabric is doing whatever it wants and I am just a butler to help it out. Just like each individual is, fashion needs to be unique and different; something to provoke a conversation and emotion to others. Creativity has been a huge fuel for me for years. Fashion design is not as extravaganzalous as many think. It is more like a therapy; a diary of my emotional and energy flow, struggling to survive in this dark world.
(720) 202-2382
Head Pieces
Eve Jenkins www.parasitevedesign.com
Shawn Schram
My name is Shawn Schram. I am the owner of and designer for S&K Custom Clothing. I have been designing for about 4 1/2 years and have been invited to show my work at NY Fashion Week twice in that time. In the last two years I have done a total of 12 shows with an average of 15 models per show. The biggest reason I design is because I like how it makes people feel when they put on something I’ve made. I like when someone can look in the mirror and feel beautiful because of my design. The more I work with that person, the more they feel beautiful. So eventually they can look in the mirror and feel beautiful no matter what they are wearing. I like when people have a high self-esteem.