Category Archives: Business Profiles

Arts & Entertainment, Business Profiles, CoVid

How has COVID 19 affected the business model for local mobile boutiques?

How one fashion entrepreneur is getting through COVID. 

COVID 19 has uprooted the life of normality we all used to live in, in unimaginable ways. Every single person has had to learn how to navigate a “new normal” of life from working at home to having to wear masks to the grocery store. Each individual has had to make changes to their everyday lifestyle, but how is COVID affecting our local mobile fashion boutiques? 

In terms of business in general, COVID has switched many supply and demand chains, making some irrelevant and others prominent, usually the opposite of the business models that kept small business alive before the pandemic. Suddenly jobs are lost and the consumer economy moved from purchasing items for enjoyment, such as clothes, to boxes of masks to protect families. Boutiques are one of the most affected business models in terms of the switch in supply and demand. 

Boutiques sell goods that can be classified as “luxuries” over “necessities”. When there is a major loss in jobs, luxury business suffers the most. We spoke to Electric Dream Boutique owner Adrienne Scott-Trask,  a Denver based boutique that runs out of their fashion truck, on the issues they have … Read more!

Arts & Entertainment, Business Profiles, Interviews

Interview with Alex Restivo

My process in fashion comes out of doing. I don’t really have a solid idea before I start on a piece. I just start and refine and refine until something cool comes out.– Alex Restivo

I met Alex Restivo last year at DLite’s Emerging Artists Fashion Showcase that featured young up and coming talent. Alex played music while he showcased his line of clothing and I was immediately hooked. I absolutely love when people are multi-passioned and combine their passions together like this! Especially ambitious and driven young individuals.

Let’s learn more about Alex!

My earliest memories stemming around fashion had to be light up sneakers and superhero underwear. Loved that stuff as a kid it made me feel cool, I was always excited to show off stuff like that.

I remember having a Spiderman costume as kid and loving it so much. I don’t think I put very much thought into fashion when I was a kid though, it was pretty much just t-shirts and cool sneakers. An image that comes to mind off the top of my head is the 50s modern house I grew up in with its flat room, two floors, and floating staircase, stained … Read more!

Business Profiles, Denver boutiques

Fashion Forward and Eco Friendly; Shops on S. Broadway 

Do you want to be fashion-forward and eco friendly? The shops on South Broadway have got you covered! The fashion industry produces thirteen million tons of textile waste every year. 95% of that waste could be reused or recycled. You can help support your local fashion industry by shopping at equally eco-friendly and fashionable shops such as La Lovely Vintage, Sewn, Decade and more all located on South Broadway in Denver.
(please note all images are taken from the companies websites).

La Lovely Vintage follows the premise of adorable clothes that are also kind to the earth. Fashion trends historically have a tendency to recycle  themselves, so vintage is a great way to stay fashionable. The owner of La Lovely Vintage, Tara Lavato, travels all over the United States finding cute vintage pieces for her boutique. So not only can you find hand picked trendy clothing, you are helping reuse and recycle by purchasing something vintage.

Sewn is another adorable boutique that gives you a variety of eco friendly and trendy options. Sewn consists of three main clothing divisions, hand made, upcycled, and vintage. Each of these sections helps reduce waste and support mother nature. Sewn also sells vintage … Read more!

A Day in the Life of Fashion Denver, Business Profiles, Denver boutiques, Designer Profile

Mona Lucero and the Inspiring Winds of Change

Mona Lucero and the Inspiring Winds of Change

By Micky

Mona Lucero’s earliest memory was asking for a pair of red patent leather shoes. Years later she is still pursuing color and vibrance through her unique fashion designs. Mona is a local Denver fashion designer who has built her own brand around a prominent guiding principle; change. Mona constantly evolves, experimenting not only with color, but texture and prints to capture the attention of her customers. “Customers are aware of what is happening in the world and they want change. You have to evolve and follow the trends,”  says Mona. 

Culture is among one of the ever changing aspects of the modern world , especially in fashion. As observed by the emergence of fashion trends, one day something is in the next day it is out pushing fashion designers, like Mona, to always be aware of fashion trends. When asked what she pulls inspiration from for her designs Mona remarked, “Cultural trends are very important to pull inspiration from.” Mona observes cultural trends in order to morph her brand, “ I pull inspiration by thinking about the world culturally and what my customers are looking for, then I tailor to … Read more!

Business Profiles, Designer Profile, Featured Designer:15th Anniversary

Designer Crystal Sharp : Edgy Victorian Style

I first met Crystal Sharp back in 1999 when she had a little boutique right off of S. Broadway. Her designs were impecable, elegant, and had this really cool vibe of Victorian chic! I’m so excited to have her at our 15th Anniversary celebration!

What inspired your love for fashion and fashion design?

I started sewing doll clothes for my barbie dolls by age 6 and my father got me my first sewing machine when I was 9. We grew up rather poor so I started to sew for the family.

Did you go to school for design or are you self taught?

I don’t have any technical training in fashion. I moved out at 14 and I wanted a degree that would allow me some stability so I went to UCD and studied economics.

Who is/are your biggest inspiration/s? (Family, Friends, Designers, etc…)

The person who all ways was my biggest fan is my mother she loved to sew and would sew for us kids (7 of us) so I guess it runs in the family.

Dress designed by Crystal Sharp

Coco Chanel is my favorite designer. But I’ve been inspired my many designers along the way.

What is your go to textile?

My … Read more!