Who is the 2013 Fashion Group International RISING STAR of Denver?

That is the very question that lingered in everyone’s mind at the posh event held on Friday, September 6.

Who would be the RISING STAR for the 7^th Biennial Signature Event Presented by FGI? I hope to build your anticipation so as to mimic my feelings that night.

The event started just as any upscale event should: on the red carpet.  Guests dressed in their finest and strutted into the McNichols Civic Center to a bustling crowd of Denver’s fashion elite. An exclusive group of attendees conversed over hors d’euvres, sipped specialty cocktails alongside designers and participated in a silent auction with proceeds being donated to Dress for Success Denver. Giant ice sculptures, upbeat music, and dapper attendees complimented the lavish event, with Denver’s finest eagerly awaiting the runway presentation to showcase the 14 entrepreneurs nominated for the award.  (Might I add, FGI knows how to throw a pre-party.)

Upon show time, the excited guests spiraled up a level to a scene strait out of New York Fashion Week.

If Denver isn’t known for fashion, it soon will be. Denise Plante, the media personality behind KOSI 101, channeled all of the pre party energy into her entrance, creating an overwhelming amount of excitement that echoed across the room.  Fitted in a figure-hugging Mariel dress, Denise would be the first to own the runway, setting the stage for the looks to come from the incredibly talented nominees.

Fourteen of the most deserving and impressive entrepreneurs became the RISING STAR category finalists who would display their cutting-edge designs at the extravagant gala. The runway show started with a boom of force, sending guests to the end of their seats.  You couldn’t help but sway your designer shoes to the music and gasp at each of the beautiful pieces.  The runway held some of the most extravagant and flawlessly put together looks I have ever seen, solidifying the fact that Denver fashion was indeed “happening.”

Who is the 2013 FGI RISING STAR?  The anticipation is brutal, isn’t it?

The finalists were not all in the ready-to-wear category. In fact, the finalists were composed of entrepreneurs from the retail experience, accessories, jewelry, interior design, and floral categories. Originality was in full force at the packed house, and categories apart from ready-to-wear had to get creative to showcase their designs at the same level, which they were able to do without fault.

The judging table consisted of:

Suzanne Brown // Colorado Style Editor, The Denver Post

Denise Snyder // Owner, Mariel Cherry Creek

Georgia Benjou // Lifestyle Editor, 5280 Magazine

Betsy Marr // Publisher – Editor in Chief, Reign Magazine

Mary Etta Curtis // Board Member, Dress For Success Denver

The selection process for the 2013 RISING STAR Award began in March, requesting a submission of business plans, marketing materials, and 3 photos of product or retail space.  The finalists were then judged on business planning, marketing, and being a young, ascending Colorado business.

Who would be the finalist to accept the trophy? None other than the deserving, respected, and highly acclaimed Carol Ann Wachter from the Women’s Ready to Wear Category. Carolann is based in Boulder, Colorado and has been featured in Lucky, Elle, Spur, 5280 Magazine, and The Boulder Daily Camera.  She sells her hats and clothing in Barney’s New York and select boutiques around the country and now holds the title of being the 2013 RISING STAR.

I would like to take a moment to congratulate all of the remarkable nominees for this incredible accomplishment in their career, and I praise the amount of dedication that goes into being an entrepreneur.  This event took the Denver fashion industry by force, and I’m sure left everyone inspired to create; which I hope they do, and hope to see them in a year as the next RISING STAR.

A few of my personal favorites: