Last weekend, Denver Fashion Week (DFW) offered seven designers the opportunity to showcase their collection in an Emerging Designers Challenge runway show. Winners of the event will present their work at DFW’s upcoming fall season.
On Saturday, August 20, two winning designers were chosen. The first winner was decided by a six-judge panel consisting of two DFW lead producers, Hailey Hodapp and AB Aharonian, DFW Creative Director David Rossa and three local designers: Rachel Marie Hurst, designer of her eponymous brand; Mo Kisale, designer of Killionaire; and Tristan Bego, owner of The Common Collective.
After a selective process, 7 designers were chosen to present a collection that best represents their work, aesthetic and overall style. Vellu, Saint Destiny, Untamed Vanity, Crio’la, Furlow and runway winners Kawesii and Hoohah presented their collections to the Denver audience.
First to hit the track was Sainty Destiny. The “Showgirl” collection consisted of luxurious black and white pieces. owner Jennifer Saint-Fort described her design aesthetic as “dark and moody, while also feminine”. Audiences enjoyed the well-constructed, sexy, and edited pieces.
Next up was Crio’la, whose collection represented the designer’s rebranding process in creating more fashion pieces. Owner and designer Sandra W. Lopes is from Germany and described her work this past weekend as “a sneak peek at what’s to come.” The collection consisted of high glam pieces with leather, silk and feather textures.
Furlow presented a collection that challenged the typical materials a designer would use for a runway show. FOUNDER Carley Furlow’s the looks consisted of recycled materials, making dresses designed with sunglasses, flip flops and even live goldfish. Furlow described her collection of the night, “I Sea You,” as “representing things found and thrown into the ocean and showing that we see that happening. We make clothing out of household items and trash,” she said.
Untamed Vanity presented the audience with the most diverse prints of the night. Ranging from cow print to cheetah print, the collection consisted of glamorous streetwear that aims to make models feel confident, sexy and cool. “My hobby of living “untamed” turned into a way of life. This collection represents encouraging women to feel confident and why not look good while doing it?” said the brand owner. Selethia Tre’Nae.
Beautifully fitted silk pieces came down the runway to represent the works of Troy Bush and Kyra Rehman of Vellu. The collection consisted of elevated women’s wear made from natural bamboo silk. Rehman provided background on the collection, saying the two “wanted to create a line that was hyper-feminine that anyone and any body shape who wanted to evoke femininity could wear.”
Although all designers submitted stunning work, only two of the seven would be selected to showcase at DFW later this fall.
The judge’s chosen winner, Kawesii, presented unique African designs in a collection of functional yet seductive women’s clothing. The brand was born from the inspiration to place African prints in more contemporary fashion designs. owner Chloe Stephens explained that she “started the line after discovering my ancestry and I learned more about all the different aspects and cultures of West Africa.” Stephens designs the parts here in Denver, and the construction takes place in Nigeria.
The timeless construction and extravagant prints caught the judges’ eyes as they ultimately decided that Stephens’ collection would be a great fit for DFW this fall.
To close the show, the audience also voted for their favorite designer of the night. The winner chosen by the people was Hoohah. Taking a very popular activity in Colorado and combining it with high-end fashion is the foundation of the ski wear collection. Growing up in Vail, owner Anna Tedstrom describes a desire to bring more fun and color to the ‘mountain wear’ he was seeing in the city and on the slopes. After feeling a lack of fun on the hills, “I wanted to show that skiing can be a lot more fun when you have a brightly colored jumpsuit,” Tedstrom explained.
Models walked with glitter dusted in their hair, ’80s-inspired outerwear, along with a subtle tribute to Dolly Parton that left the runway audience begging for more. Therefore, Hoohah received the majority of audience votes and will continue to introduce the Denver fashion scene with fun-filled looks this fall for DFW.
The show was filled with high energy as each designer portrayed their evolving business and designs to an audience full of Denver locals excited to see the future of DFW. Although there could only be two winners, the passion that resides in each designer deserves exceptional recognition.
It is also very necessary to recognize the hard work and talent that goes on before the show goes on. The hair and makeup team was dedicated to delivering beautifully styled hair and stunning makeup.
Such a creative challenge sparked excitement for what’s to come this fall for Denver Fashion Week. Be sure to stay up to date on the latest DFW events and shows on the official Denver Fashion Week website.
All photos by Roxanna Carrasco.
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Darrel DeWitt
Jax Gritton
Vickie B
Marliese Ray
There’s Jones
Paul Salas
Heather Christine
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Jordyn Arielle
Joan Smith
Donny Teran
Nikki Reidel
Kyle Hamilton
Leah Lanes
Nelly Hernandez
