From April 6-11, a range of excited young girls in dresses to middle-aged men in expensive suits settled in to watch a mixture of local and national fashion designs hit the runway at Denver Fashion Weekend (DFW), hosted by 303 Magazine. The weekend featured swimwear, elegant dresses and sky-high hairdos; the Clarion was able to attend Non-Traditional Model Night and Local and National Fashion Night.
Non-Traditional Model Night included tattooed models, voluptuous models, ageless models, petite models and androgynous models for the first half of the show. This part of the show did not function to present certain designers, but to showcase the extensive diversity of DFW. Voluptuous models strutted in sexy, lingerie-inspired bodysuits colored with animal print, while tattooed models were laced in skeletal makeup characterized by metallic studs and dark shadowed cheeks.
For the second half of Non-Traditional Night, local designers including Kotomi Yoshida, Maggie Margot Couture, Kimono Dragons by Francis Roces, Rachel Marie Hurst and NIGHT flaunted dramatic dresses and street-style ready chunky heels. Maggie Margot Couture was a polished and graceful standout; the French style pieces exhibited ultra feminine silhouettes and high slit dresses, as well as lacey black pieces and gorgeous open backed gowns.
Local and National Night boasted nature-influenced designers, romantic pastels and neutral yet cool street wear. Local designer Marks Lloyds showed off edgy and refined statement coats; the mix of black and white seemed like present-day mod style.
Velvet Wolf, a local designer, is inspired by the snarling presence of nature; the collection was marked by biker-chic elements and vixen hair, jackets marked with tigers and leather. The ferocity of a wolf was captured in teased ponytails and precariously high heels.
The best designer of this particular night, however, was Royal, a street style brand that incorporates neutrals with edgy cuts and slightly oversized hoodies. With “Live like Royalty” emblazoned on the back of long shirts and jackets, and women’s fashion from Royal featuring sporty chic leather skirts and baseball caps, Royal would make anyone feel like royalty.
Other designers including Lions in Four, Kouture, Soignee, ILY ILEY, Femme Fatale and Georgine NYC were also represented on the runway.
Overall, DFW was a successful and energetic presentation of talented local and national designers. Denver’s fashion scene is growing every day; to catch more fashion this year, watch out for 303 Magazine’s Fall Fashion Weekend, coming later this year.
