Category Archives: Designer Profiles

Arts & Entertainment, Designer Profiles, White Party designers

Sizzlin’ 6 with Duane Topping

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It’s always exciting meeting a new designer! Welcome to the Fashion Denver world Duane! We look forward to seeing your collection and learning more about you at The White Party! In the meantime world, Check out our interview with Duane, designer behind Designs By Topping

Duane ToppingWhat were your obsessions growing up?

I’ve always been obsessed with art. It started out with my desire to be a cartoonist, then shifted to art history as I got older. Now, I love the artistic development of fashion. Seeing my art in motion is a wonderful experience.

How did fashion become the symbol for your creative expression?

After I retired from military service I had a difficult time adjusting to my new life. Numerous combat deployments took its toll. One day I bought a sewing machine and found my niche. Now, my clothes have become an expression of who I am. I’m a soldier, a biker, a feminist, a scholar, and an artist. Being a clothing designer allows me to embrace all of that at once.

Toppings by DuaneDo you see a stylistic connection between the things you do in your daily life that is reflected into your collections?

My clothes absolutely reflect me as … Read more!

Designer Profile, Designer Profiles, Fashion Denver Events, White Out Fashion Show

Gino Velardi Interview for Whiteout Fashion Show

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Here is our third interview with Gino Velardi in anticipation for the Whiteout Fashion Show at Artopia on February 20th! Enjoy 🙂

Q:When did you first know you wanted to be a fashion designer?
Gino Velardi Headshot
A:It happened when I first discovered a fashion magazine at age 8! I was immediately seduced by this discovery and knew what industryI wanted to be in. So I learned how to do hair and makeup, styling and production, but I didn’t like to do any of those things for someone else, so I adopted the role of fashion designer.  I saturated myself with the knowledge of clothing design. Then I can have
people work with me to realize my vision.

Q:Where do you draw inspiration from?

A:My inspiration comes from music! I listen to specific genre of music and I think of a fashion show and what kind of clothes I would design around that song. I can listen to everything from Patsy Cline to Led Zeppelin. That feeds my vision!

Q:What has been the most rewarding and the most frustrating part of your

journey thus far

A:The reward comes from my family, friends and fans that have supported … Read more!

Business Profiles, Designer Profiles

Featured Babes on Bocce Salon {Flaunt}

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For our September 5th mini fashion market at Illegal Pete’s, we are thrilled to team up with Flaunt Salon who will be doing the hair and makeup for our 2 fashion shows that are taking place on the bocce court on the patio at 5 & 8.

Flaunt Salon

Personally, I’m very excited to work with Flaunt Salon as it is co-owned by one of my childhood friends and neighbors Jennifer Satterfield Armand. We have known each other since 1984 and it is so much fun to be able to work with each other in our adult life, all grown up! Jenn and her husband Andrew own Flaunt, located at 2219 Larimer.

For all of our Fashion Denver friends, Flaunt Salon is offering a 20% discount on ALL SERVICES, when you mention “Fashion Denver”

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What one memory do you remember that sparked your interest in the fashion world? 

I’ve always loved Vogue Magazine and  loved the look of Lauren Bacall and Stevie Nicks in my younger years. My first fashion MUST HAVE was definitely GUESS jeans!

What is the mission of your business?  

To make people look and feel beautiful! We have always wanted to provide a “Cheers” like atmosphere for our … Read more!

Designer Profiles, Designers

A visit with Thomas Paul Althaus {Canned Goods}

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Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure to spend time with Thomas Paul Althaus, brains behind Denver accessory company, Canned Goods. One thing that I’ve always noticed about Thomas is his absolutely positive energy that radiates to all that come in contact with him.

Canned Goods have been a staple in my wardrobe for over a year. As far as my wardrobe goes, I’m pretty simple, so I rely on my accessories to make outfits pop. And when I’m in Canned Goods, I feel glamorous! Upon further inspection of the fashionable pieces that he designs, one may be surprised to find out that they are all made with tin cans!

Learn about the Canned Goods story here from his interview on 9 News earlier this year!

Canned Goods can be found in boutiques all across the US and of course, in some of the best Denver boutiques too! The latest collection experiments with new shapes, cutouts, and even colors of tins. You can pair earrings with a a cuff and create a set, wear them separately, or even wear 2 different earrings (which I’ve done often)! Every piece of Canned Goods sold gives one can of food for each … Read more!