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Rising Stars on the runway

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[media-credit id=147 align="aligncenter" width="495"]Tracey Lynn golf outfit[/media-credit]

A golf top and skirt from Tracey Lynn.

[media-credit id=147 align="alignleft" width="225"][/media-credit]

Kaitlyn Thomas' top and shorts, for KaiT Designs

Denver area fashion companies put their most stylish feet forward Saturday for International of Denver’s biannial Rising Star Awards.
Braving a trip to the suburbs FGI members, friends and family members gathered at the relatively new venue District 475, which was a perfect setting for a reception and show. In the Inverness Main Street development, District 475 has an open, warehouse-y feel. There was clever art on the walls, sofas for lounging, spots for photo ops, bars, and high-top tables for parking a drink and plate while you mingled. The runway and backstage area accommodated what event co-chair Carol Engel Enright said was a crowd of about 350 who came out to toast the 13 companies being recognized.

Having emcee was a good move. Her jokes – and demonstration – about modeling and working the runway met a responsive audience. “Mama’s had two babies,” she said as she strutted in a sparkly green one-shoulder mini dress from Mariel. Not that anyone could tell from her svelte figure.
But the crowd came to see the work of companies who are looking to build their businesses and attention soon turned to the baker’s dozen of rising stars that were ready to put some of their ideas on the runway. These are companies that have already proved their mettle – they’re showing and selling locally and in some cases nationally and internationally – they have websites and sample rooms (even if it’s their dining room table). They’re risking a lot to just put their product out there.
The criteria for being chosen was that the companies have had to be in business between 2 and 7 years and be building a national market. Among the judges were Holli Gibson, children’s wear design of , of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and creative initiatives; Heidi McGuire of Channel 9, Georgia Benjou of 5280 and yours truly.

[media-credit id=147 align="alignright" width="130"]FlyLow's vivid jacket and pants.[/media-credit]

FlyLow's vivid jacket and pants.

The range of design companies was impressive but I had to wonder: how was fashion show producer Cynthia Petrus going to put together a show with 13 companies that would be cohesive and entertaining and not bore the heck out of the fashion crowd, which is notoriously attention-span challenged? She did it by having each company show only three looks, and she combined them in at least one case, so the parade was fast and fun.
Colorado is always strong with activewear, and that was demonstrated by the eye-popping color and great styling of snowboard clothing shown by Dan Abrams and Green Steen of . But you can’t bypass cycling wear in our state, which is why it was smart that Panache showed geometric designs to wear while riding. The looks were as cool as they were functional. And don’t dismiss golf: Tracey Blake’s feminine and fashion forward designs for Tracey Lynn featured animal prints, flounced skirts and sleek styling. She’s out to banish frumpy golf wear and her efforts are applauded!

[media-credit id=147 align="alignleft" width="225"]A  vintage modern look from Denver Bespoke[/media-credit]

A vintage modern look from Denver Bespoke

The show’s hip factor was provided by several lines, including the silk tops and pants of Meggie Hodge for Fahrenkamp Apparel; Dana Van Daele’s leather bags for Grey Sunshine and the totally original men’s looks from Kotomi Yoshida of . Menswear was also well presented by Denver Bespoke, which makes incredible reproductions of vintage designs, updated for today’s guys. AJ Machete and Lianna K are the designers.
’ black and gold evening gowns were topped off with the feathery millinery confections of Natalie Moldenhauer’s Natalee M. Designs, which was a perfect pairing.
Every fashion show needs a bride, and Maggie Burns of Marie Margot presented three confections for brides to be.
Kaitlyn Thomas demonstrated her talent for women’s sportswear in her KaiT looks and went a step further in creating the gray jersey gowns she collaborated with jewelry designer Samantha Larkins in making. It’s always tough to figure out how to present jewelry on a runway when it’s much more subtle than a head-to-toe outfit, but the dresses showed off Larkin’s fine jewelry designs for well.

[media-credit id=147 align="alignright" width="270"][/media-credit]

Samantha Louise's bracelet and necklace

The competition was lucky to have two jewelry companies on board: ’s contemporary line created by Lindsay Backman was beautiful and wearable, if a little hard to see on a runway. Her line includes delicate layered necklaces, slim gold bangle bracelets and gold hoops with wire wraps, rough cut stones of emerald and pyrite – she’s all about how women want to wear jewelry today – at a price they can afford on their own. Pieces range from about $50 to $300. And that’s the point – it is every day jewelry, not just something for a special occasion.
Backman got the big congrats of the night as she was named the Rising Star by FGI for 2011. Bloom Jewelry is already selling in stores across the country; Backman is hoping to take her company to the next biggest level.
It was a promising night for Colorado style.
Look for a profile of Lindsay Backman here soon.


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