From afternoon until evening with the weather cooperating, designers from throughout the Denver metro area and beyond kept a growing audience captivated with a myriad of women’s daywear, children’s wear, cocktail and bridal on the same runway. New fashion designer competition was interspersed with established designers in a cleverly choreographed four-hour production – the brainchild of Deedee and Justin Vicory of The Wedding Seamstress. Using the giant pavilion as a backdrop, McIlvoy Park in Olde Town Arvada was transformed into a festive fashion showcase complete with exhibit booths plus a stage and elevated catwalk. There was food, fun, fashion and entertainment for hundreds and VIP seating ramp side for 150.
Brandi Shigley, founder of Fashion Denver, and Mondo Guerro, who is currently in Lifetime TV’s Project Runway competition, were judges.
Judging of the 18 new designer creations was by Denver’s own Mondo Guerro, who is currently featured on Lifetime’s Project Runway and signed autographs for fans, Brandi Shigley, founder of Fashion Denver and yours truly. Two rounds of judging of the new designers led to the announcement of Gabriela Martinez as the winner for her sophisticated, beaded black shift with sheer sleeves and attached scarf. Runner up was Melissa May, who is well known for her layers of ruffles. Judging criteria included tailoring, contemporary design, composition, intrigue, recognizable individual designer style and overall presentation including model.
Gabriela has her own studio in Denver’s Golden Triangle area. She was born in Los Angeles but studied design at Universidad Regional del Norte when her parents moved to Mexico. From Mexico, she traveled to New York and California to purchase fabrics for her clients who wanted fine clothing. The designer, who loves to sew everything from daytime and wraps to bridal and leather handbags, also works in the interior design spectrum. She has a quilting machine, makes pillows, draperies and home accessories. This was the first win in designer competition for the seamstress who is also an expert in alterations and pattern making.
Gabriela Martinez, winner of the New Designer competition, displays her winning entry, a dress form from Manne-King. Photos by Scottie Taylor Iverson.
The chosen star Featured Designers were Denver’s Tricia Hoke with her once per year Signature Collection, Lamanblu children’s wear by Holli Gibson of Golden, KaiT by Kaitlyn Thomas of Ft. Collins and the finale from D’Lola Couture by Deedee Vicory of Arvada.
Hoke’s fashions convert, defy gravity and flirt with unconformity, yet utilize basic fabrics for wearable, classic and useful garments. She has been nominated twice for Fashion Group International of Denver’s RISING STAR award, been featured on ELLE.com and in Lucky Magazine. Tricia is known for bringing fashion and art together throughout many shows and competitions.
Kaitlyn Thomas’ KaiT creations are full of “wit and whimsy” for the fall season and are meticulously tailored. Her one-of-a-kind garments are sure to flatter women of all configurations, and generate a pulse with style that is unique and intriguing. She certainly didn’t disappoint on the runway with surprising button placement and impeccable details.
Holli Gibson had 26 adorable cherubs with long-stemmed flowers, balloons and signs on the catwalk and titled her segment “Because…” Everyday in a child’s life is special and something to celebrate and Gibson brings that message home through clothing for little girls. It’s child’s play for her, as she designs unique and charming styles to capture the hearts of the parents as well. Her vision and performance in the marketplace won her the RISING STAR 2009 Award from Fashion Group International of Denver.
Deedee Vicory not only made her debut at Fashion Fest with incredibly beautiful and elaborate dresses but is opening her own boutique in Olde Town Arvada. Her vintage inspired line has a flair for the contemporary. D’Lola offers three distinctive choices for individuality: couture, custom or redesign. Deedee’s sewing skills and love of wedding gowns were honed from years with her grandmother.
Mistress of Ceremonies for the first annual Fashion Fest was former Miss Fitness Colorado, Christine Pomponio.
