Category Archives: Designer Profile

Arts & Entertainment, Designer Profile

Style Has No Expiration Date: Interview with Brooks Luby

Brooks Luby Celebrates Aging, Artistry, and the Freedom to Dress on Your Own Terms

Who says great style belongs only to the young?

At Fashion Denver, we believe creativity, confidence, and personal style only become more interesting with time. That’s why we’re thrilled to spotlight Brooks Luby, a designer with more than 50 years of experience in the fashion industry who continues to prove that style truly has no expiration date.

On October 29, 2026, Brooks will bring her creative vision to the runway as the exclusive designer for the Mayor’s Commission on Aging Fashion Show, celebrating aging with strength, beauty, and individuality.

A two-time breast cancer survivor, lifelong artist, and passionate advocate for slow fashion, Brooks is using this opportunity to remind us that growing older doesn’t mean becoming invisible. In fact, it can mean becoming more authentically ourselves.

Aging Boldly, Dressing Beautifully

For Brooks, fashion is about much more than what we put on our bodies. It’s about how we show up in the world.

“This opportunity allows me to express, to the audience and beyond, how aging doesn’t mean becoming invisible.”

Her personal journey has shaped her approach to both life and design. Having … Read more!

A Day in the Life of Fashion Denver, Designer Profile, Interviews, Maya Fuentes

Interview with Miceala Giulianelli

“Notice what you like and what you dislike to start developing your style…You can always acquire skills such as sewing later, it is not important, the most important thing is to find your style.” – Miceala Giulianelli

By Maya Fuentes

Inspired by nature around her, Miceala Giulianelli created a collection of chic and contemporary designs that were shown as a part of Modello Nuovo’s first semi annual fashion show. Giulianelli enjoys giving a new perspective to classic shapes by reimagining them with modern fabrics like leather, offering her audience designs they are sure to remember. She defines her style as unique, modern, and eye-catching, traits that are obvious to those captivated by Giulianelli’s designs on the runway. While she hopes everyone is inspired by her designs, Giulianelli explains, “My target audience is women who want to feel powerful and confident in what they wear.”

At just 17, her personal style follows normal teen trends varying heavily from what she creates. Giulianelli envisions her contemporary and sophisticated pieces being worn at the office or as a statement for a special occasion.

A word of advice she’d give to other teens looking to start designing at her age, “Notice what you … 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!

Designer Profile, Featured Designer:15th Anniversary

SMASHERROBOT: Custom, one of a kind shirts

Who said that a button-up shirt has to be one solid boring color with a corporate feel? NOT Eugene Rooks, brains behind Smasher Robot.

What inspired your love for fashion and fashion design?

During my freshman year of college, I went with a friend to this awesome vintage store in Seattle. I was amazed by all the cool clothes, especially the 70’s style shirts. I was hooked from that point, hitting up thrift stores looking for vintage duds of the more wild variety. It has morphed as my abilities have grown. Now instead of looking for unique clothing, I mostly just wear what I make.

What is the first thing you ever designed? (Do you have a photo? If so, please include it!) 

The first thing I ever designed was a Squirrel mascot style costume. While living in Missoula, Montana during college, I borrowed a friend’s sewing machine and just went for it. I had no experience with patterns, I just started cutting out fabric and stitching. My friends were impressed and told me I should go into costume design.

How long have you been designing?

I’ve been a tailor for the last 12, and sewing for 15 years.  As … Read more!