What You Missed at the Denver Fashion Week Emerging Designers Challenge

Last weekend, Denver Fashion Week (DFW) provided seven designers with the opportunity to showcase their collection in an Emerging Designers Challenge Show. Winners of the event will feature their work in DFW’s upcoming fall season.

On Saturday, August 20, two winning designers were chosen. The first winner was decided by a six-judge panel made up of two DFW top producers, Hailey Hodapp and AB Aharonian, DFW Creative Director David Rossa, and three local designers: Rachel Marie Hurst, designer of her namesake 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, aesthetics and style in general. Vellu, Saint Destiny, Untamed Vanity, Crio’la, Furlow and runway winners Kawesii and Hoohah presented their collections to Denver audiences.

The first to take to the catwalk was Sainty Destiny. The “Showgirl” collection consisted of black and white luxury pieces. Owner Jennifer Saint-Fort he described her design aesthetic as “dark and moody, while also being feminine”. The public enjoyed well-constructed, sexy and fitted pieces.

Next to present was Crio’la, whose collection represented the designer’s rebranding process to create more haute couture pieces. owner and designer Sandra W Lopes is from Germany and described his work last weekend as a “sneak peek of things to come.” The collection consisted of highly glamorous pieces with textures of leather, silk and feathers.

Furlow presented a collection that defied the typical materials a designer would use for a show. Founder Carley Furlow The looks consisted of recycled materials, so dresses with sunglasses, flip-flops and even bright goldfish were created. Furlow described his collection for the night, “I Sea You”, as “representing things found and discarded in the ocean and showing that we see this happening”. We make clothes out of household items and garbage,” she said.

Untamed Vanity presented to the public the most varied prints of the night. From cow print to cheetah print, the collection consisted of glamorous streetwear that is meant to make models feel confident, sexy and cute. “My hobby of living ‘indomitable’ became a lifestyle. This collection stands for encouraging women to feel confident and why not look good while doing it?” said the brand owner. Selethia Tre’Nae.

Beautifully fitted pieces of silk came down the runway to represent works by Troy Bush and Kyra Rehman de Vellu. The collection consisted of high-end women’s garments made from natural bamboo silk. Rehman gave some background to the collection, sharing that the two “wanted to create a line that was hyper-feminine that anyone and any body shape that wanted to evoke femininity could wear.”

Although all the designers provided impressive work, only two of the seven would be chosen to present at DFW later this fall.

The judge’s chosen winner, Kawesii, featured unique African designs in a collection of functional yet glamorous women’s workwear. The brand was born from the inspiration of putting African prints into more contemporary fashion designs. Owner Chloe Esteban she explained that she “started the line after discovering my ancestry and finding out 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 quirky prints caught the attention of the judges, as they ultimately decided the Stephens collection would be a wonderful 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 skiwear collection. Having grown up in Vail, owner anna tedstrom describes wanting to bring more fun and color to the ‘mountain clothing’ he was seeing in the city and on the slopes. After feeling like I wasn’t having fun in the hills, “I wanted to show that skiing can be so much more fun when you’re wearing a brightly colored jumpsuit,” Tedstrom explained.

Models walked in powdered glitter in their hair, ’80s-inspired outerwear, along with a subtle tribute to Dolly Parton that left the runway audience clamoring for more. Therefore, Hoohah took home the most votes from the audience and will continue to introduce the Denver fashion scene with fun-filled looks this fall for DFW.

Hoohah Designer, Anna Tedstrom

The show was packed with high energy as each designer described their business and emerging designs to an audience packed with Denverites excited to see the future of DFW. Although there could only be two winners, the passion that resides in each and every one of the designers deserves immense recognition.

It is also very necessary to acknowledge the hard work and talent that goes into it before the show even begins. The hair and makeup team set about creating a beautiful hairstyle and dazzling makeup.

Such a creative challenge ignited sparks of 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 site.

All photos by Roxanna Carrasco.

Hair

darrel dewitt

Jax Griton

vickie b

marliese ray

mae jones

Paul Salas

cristina heather

Make-up

jordyn arielle

Jane Smith

donny teran

nikki reidel

kyle hamilton

Leah Llanes

Nelly Hernandez

Source: 303magazine.com