Arts & Entertainment, Boutiques, Business Profiles, Denver Fashion Week

Behind the Seams: Mona Lucero featured designer at Denver Fashion Week’s Society Night

Denver Fashion Week is here and we’re getting the scoop on a few of the designers that are showcasing!

With a legacy spanning decades in the fashion industry, Mona Lucero has become a revered figure in Denver’s design scene, and is a local staple. Known for her visionary creativity and unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, Mona has continually inspired and delighted fashion enthusiasts with her unique aesthetic.

As longtime admirers of her work, we can’t wait to see the unveiling of Mona’s latest collection on the runway of Society Night at Denver Fashion Week.

What was the main inspiration behind your latest collection you are showcasing at Denver Fashion Week SOCIETY NIGHT?

There are a few themes – the butterfly which we often think of as pretty and sweet but there is a complexity to the butterfly in darker and more vivid colors that intrigue me. There is a resilience in the butterfly that’s often surprising. There’s also the theme of inner strength, relying on oneself to overcome and personal responsibility. I want to represent these ideas in this new collection.

Your designs often blend various styles and influences. How do you strike a balance between maintaining your signature … Read more!

Arts & Entertainment, Business Profiles, Denver Fashion Week

Breaking Ground: Skye Barker Maa’s Journey into Sustainability at Denver Fashion Week

Denver Fashion Week Spring ’24 Opening Day: SUSTAINABLE

Step into the vibrant realm where fashion meets sustainability! The buzz surrounding Denver Fashion Week’s Sustainability show is palpable, and amidst the flurry of preparations, one name stands out: Skye Barker Maa. Behind the scenes, Skye is diligently crafting her collections for both Factory Fashion and SKYE|AIRE, infusing each piece with a unique blend of creativity and eco-consciousness. From the youthful charm of Factory Fashion showcased in the Youth & Kids Show to the ethereal elegance of SKYE|AIRE gracing the Bridal runway, Skye’s collections promise to be nothing short of extraordinary.

Let’s dive into the world of sustainability with Skye…

What inspired you to transition your design approach to focus on sustainability?

I snowballed into Sustainability! Factory Fashion hosted a Sustainable Fashion Show for the organization Women in Sustainability that included a runway show, panel, and had a greater educational component. I learned so much that I continued to do research on my own. I started thrifting materials and realized how much opportunity there is. Adapting to a sustainable approach is right for the planet, but also financially sustainable. I was spending so much money on fabric and … Read more!

Arts & Entertainment, Denver Fashion Week, Fashion Events around town

Denver Fashion Week Returns for Spring 2024 With All Inclusive Fashion Show, Bridal Fashion, the Debut of the Denver Fashion Week Awards, and Much More

Denver Fashion Week (DFW), Colorado’s largest fashion event, returns for spring with eight runway shows coming to The Brighton – A NPU Venue in the heart of RiNo’s Art District from Saturday, May 11 through Sunday, May 19, 2024. Spring highlights for the highly anticipated event include the return and expansion of the All-Inclusive Fashion Show, mesmerizing European fashion experience with a runway show featuring international designers from Georgia, a Bridal Show just in time for wedding season, and for the first time – the Denver Fashion Week Awards.

As Colorado’s most prominent fashion event, thousands of attendees show up each year to support Denver’s growing and diverse fashion community. During the spring show, emerging and established local, national, and international designers and boutiques will showcase their collections’ key seasonal styles, enhanced by the work of talented hairstylists, makeup artists, and models. Included in the lineup are the winners of DFW’s fourth Emerging Designers Challenge, MOSSD, and Valerian Projects.

“Denver Fashion Week, a driving force behind Colorado’s fashion industry, serves as the vibrant runway where local talent and innovation converge,” said Nikki Strickler, runway producer of DFW. “Through our two annual shows, we not only celebrate style but actively contribute … Read more!

Arts & Entertainment

18th Annual Paper Fashion Show Winners Announced

28 Design Teams Competed for Recognition at the Nation’s Largest Paper Fashion Show 

DENVER, April 21, 2024 –The ONE Club for Creativity – Denver’s Annual Paper Fashion Show featuring haute couture fashions made entirely from paper by Colorado-area designers announced its six 2024 winners:

  1. First Place: Double Take / Brielle Killip, lead designer
  2. Second Place: Eugene Rooks / Eugene Rooks, lead designer
  3. Third Place: Starlet / Kim Lim, lead designer
  4. DAVA’s Choice: Ephemeral Siren / Olivia McCann, lead designer
  5. Star Student: Futuristic Flamboyance / Zoë Hall, lead designer
  6. Team Spirit: Don’t Take It for Pomegranate / Gianna Tarka, lead designer

*Winner photos provided by Blu Hartkopp.

Twenty-eight design teams created fashions from paper donated by Neenah Paper, CTI Paper USA  and coordinated by Kelly Spicers. 

The show took place on Thursday, April 18th at 6 p.m., at The Sports Castle in Denver, CO. The judges were Emily Choi, Libby Alexander, Marissa West, Matthew Brown, Orly Eisbart, Tran Nguyen-Wills and Sydney Masias.

“I am in complete awe from the work that our volunteers do to make our signature event spectacular,” said Lisa Effress, One Club for Creativity Denver president. “The sum of every person involved has super-hero like … Read more!

A Day in the Life of Fashion Denver, Arts & Entertainment, Events

Painted Threads: A Fusion of Fashion and Art by Brooks Luby and Madeleine O’Connell

Painted Threads
May 3rd 11am-8am
May 4th 11am-4pm
1301 Wazee St

In the heart of Denver, where creativity knows no bounds, Colorado’s very own fashion maven Brooks Luby and the talented artist Madeleine O’Connell are joining forces in a groundbreaking collaboration that promises to redefine the intersection of fashion and art. Their inaugural showcase, “Painted Threads,” is set to take center stage at 1301 Wazee Street, unveiling an exquisite collection that blurs the lines between wearable art and sartorial elegance.

Scheduled for the vibrant First Friday of May, on May 3rd from 11 AM to 8 PM, and continuing through Saturday, May 4th, from 11 AM to 4 PM, “Painted Threads” invites you to immerse yourself in a world of captivating designs that celebrate individuality and creativity.

Brooks Luby, the visionary behind Brooks LTD, brings her signature blend of eco-consciousness and timeless style to the collaboration. With a passion for slow fashion, Brooks incorporates eco-friendly fabrics, including a curated selection of vintage textiles, into her designs. Each piece is a testament to her commitment to sustainability, offering fashion enthusiasts a guilt-free indulgence in luxurious attire.

Partnering with Brooks is the talented artist Madeleine O’Connell, whose unique artistic vision infuses the … Read more!

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