I first met Maria Harlan 12 years ago when she was a student at CSU. She volunteered at one of our first fashion markets and has since then graduated, moved to Arizona, had a decade a life and life brought her back to Colorado! It is so fun to have Maria IN our fashion market, all grown up 🙂

Let’s learn a little bit about Maria and her line of jewelry Prickly Hearts. …

What was your first memory of fashion inspiration that you can remember? 

I remember visiting my Grandparents in Iowa every summer and them having these huge JCPenny catalogs.  I would spend hours going through them and tearing out all of my favorite styles and creating vision boards with them.  I must have been 7 or 8!  

What motivated you to start your own fashion business?

I was avid browser on Etsy and decided one day that I should just go for it!  I opened a shop and never looked back.  I was itching for my creative outlet to mean more than a hobby to me.

What inspires your designs? 

The seasons and color! 

What are your thoughts about the fashion industry here in Denver?

It … Read more!

For the people who love and dance and be free, do we have the designer for you! Michelle Hale, climber, spa & boutique owner, designer extraordinaire, and Burning Man woman, will be featured at our 13th Anniversary fashion bonanza June 16th! 

Here are a few questions with Michelle!

Who were a couple of your fashion icons growing up as a kid and teenager? 

As I kid I loved Cher.  What an icon….and all about fashion.  Then of course we move into the Madonna phase

What inspired you to start designing? 

It probably began with getting more decadent at Halloween.  My 1st trip  to Burningman was huge for inspiration and to motivator me to start making my own clothing.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

To this day I still get highly inspired from festivals such as Burningman.  I also use fashion magazine’s like Vogue and Elle  for inspiration 

Tell us about your Headquarters (shop and beauty shop) 5) 

I have a small skincare and permanent makeup boutique in Boulder called The Beauty Spot where I have been lucky enough to have the space to display and sell and of my designs.

What has been the most challenging obstacle that you’ve … Read more!

I met Hana at the clubhouse of my apartment and what a bright joy of beauty she was to my day!! We immediately hit it off and when I learned that she was a jewelry designer that had just moved here from Cali, I got really excited to scoop her on up into the Fashion Denver family.  Hana brings her gorgeous line of jewelry, T H A L K E N, to the 5280 and how we are excited!

What was your first memory of fashion inspiration that you can remember?

I had extremely sensitive skin when I was little so anything that I wore had to be soft. Instead of underwear I would wear leotards under my clothes because they were more comfortable. So I would say that my first memory of fashion inspiration is comfort. 🙂

… Read more!

We are so excited to introduce Instructions Designs, a first time Fashion Denver Bonanza market participant! Our fashion community continues to grow, adding such a diverse group of designers to our thriving fashion scene! Welcome to the family Crystal!

What was your first memory of fashion inspiration that you can remember? 

Gem & the Holograms! I was 3-4 years old and I remember these dolls that wore their bad-ass on their clothes & hair! Whenever I got to pick my outfits I would try my hardest to match their color schemes and embellished ruffles! I think I’ve gone through all of their hair colors now that I think about it! … Read more!

We are so excited to welcome Colleen Cronin to the Fashion Denver family! Fresh off the boat (okay, maybe it wasn’t a boat) but all the way from Alaska!, Colleen recently moved to Denver and moved her jewelry design company Spruced Designs! Welcome to the mile high city! Collen will feature her line of handcrafted jewelry that exude elegance and beauty. 

What was your first memory of fashion inspiration that you can remember?

My first memories of fashion inspiration were playing dress-up with my mom’s jewelry, makeup and clothes; and my Barbies!

What motivated you to start your own fashion business?

I always had fun making jewelry for myself and my friends, and one Christmas after making hand-stamped necklaces for my best friends I decided I wanted to start my own business. 

Tell us one of your fashion icons or designer influences?

I love Todd Reed and Melanie Auld

What inspires your designs?

There are places that have always connected with my soul and the simplicity, beauty and pure awe of those places has always inspired me to create unique pieces that attempt to capture the essence of something so profound with so much meaning.  

… Read more!