One of my most favorite things about working in the fashion industry, and for as long as I have (20 years), is seeing the up and comers up and come! I’ve met students that have gone on to pursue successful careers in fashion and it inspires me like crazy!
William Maestas is one of those people! Learn about his history, inspirations, passion and where he sees his future going. It’s been an absolute delight to see Will moving up the ladder of success!
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Where did you and I first connect?
– You and I first connected 8 years ago in 2012 at the 4th Annual Red Ball when I was 19. I was a model in the show for Francis Roces (Kimono Dragons). This was only the second fashion show I had ever walked in. At this point I had already been involved in 20+ photo shoots for my portfolio with photographers in Colorado Springs and Denver.
How has your evolution of fashion changed since I very first met you? I feel like it was many years ago when you were a young student!
– Since we met at Red Ball in 2012 SO much has changed! I decided
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!
FOR ITS 11th YEAR, TRASH THE RUNWAY® RECYCLED COUTURE IS GOING VIRTUAL
Trash the Runway®, traditionally a sold-out live runway show competition, is going online! Tune in on June 30TH at 7 pm MST on Boulder8TV or atfundraisingeverywhere.com/trashtherunway for TTR virtual, which will deliver the haute-est recycled couture yet.
BOULDER, COLORADO – Every Spring, for the past ten years, young designers from around the Denver Metro Area have worked tirelessly to create stunning couture for the Trash the Runway® (TTR) fashion show and competition. There is always a range of fashion from sweeping evening gowns to whimsical leisure attire. The presentation is stunning, the young designers who attend local middle and high schools are poised perfection, and the designs themselves are made entirely of recycled and found materials. Evening gowns have been made from materials like old trampoline mats and pantsuits from discarded exercise bands. One winning garment from last year’s competition was painstakingly made from thousands of gum wrappers.
The 11th annual TTR show was scheduled to happen on March 17, 2020 at Macky Auditorium on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder, Colorado. Over 1,000 tickets had been sold and the excitement was percolating, … Read more!
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!
Written by: Veronica Randolph and Ashlynn Lehmkuhler
Ashlynn’s Perspective
My name is Ashlynn Lehmkuhler and I am a white woman who appreciates and respects black culture. When my friend Veronica Randolph asked me to write an excerpt on my perspective on black lives matter I was thrilled. I love to write and I have been wanting to express my feelings on black lives matter. As a white person, there has always been an unspoken rule, you don’t speak about racism, it’s not your place. It is time for that ideology to end. It’s time to speak up and stand up and beside my black friends and their families who have dealt with this oppression for far too long.
The black lives matter movement has changed dramatically with the events that transpired since George Floyd’s murder. For the first time the country is coming together and joining forces to fight the injustices and oppression our black communities face daily. We have all decided to take this battle into our own hands and demand justice, not only for the black men and women who have been murdered at the hands of cops, but to demand … Read more!
Supporting Colorado designers since 2004 through production of fashion markets, fashion shows, and business development
