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Anti-Fashionista
Brandi Shigley knows she has been called Denver's fashion maven and the local fashionista. But that's not the way she sees it. Tugging at the hem of her own bubble-skirt (a reformed Buffalo Exchange find), she described her wardrobe as a mix of thrift stores and local designers-emphasis on the local designers.
Working with DIY designs, both her own handbags and the clothing and jewelry of others, has been more than Shigley's bread and butter for the five years since she founded Fashion Denver. Developing local designers and boosting small business has been her passion.
Shigley has a list of 993 local designers she works with, and adds to the list regularly. That list includes not just clothing designers, but graphic designers, jewelry makers, and visual artists.
"I couldn't be doing what I'm doing without all these amazing designers. My role is just connecting people-bringing it together so other people's talents shine."
In Denver, Shigley said, she has seen as much talent as she has seen in larger markets like San Diego and Las Vegas.
"Honestly, we're just as great as all those big designers. We're just as cool in Denver," she said. "Denver has its own flavor. It's on the cusp of being really fly-a mix of being practical and really fun."
Though Shigley keeps a few fashion magazines in her office, she said that, overall, her tips on what's hot come from a more home-grown source: "I don't keep up on the trends, I just watch what's passing on the street."
Fashion and fashion magazines aren't useful if they don't market wearable, affordable clothes, Shigley said. "I'd like to see more regular-sized people and more regular-sized prices in the media."
And as economic woes spread across the nation, shoppers may have a mind more on their pocketbooks than on the latest fads. But Shigley said an economy re-inventing itself will give the average wardrobe a chance to re-conceive itself as well.
"Everything is starting over, and the people who are comfortable in who they are, they express themselves through fashion," said Shigley. She's seen the crunch put a few boutiques she worked with in the past out of business, but overall, wants people to see people continuing to create, even through tough times.
To that end, Fashion Denver will open a new showroom on March 25. Works by four or five designers will occupy the space for a month at a time, giving local fashion connoisseurs a chance to browse those designers that might not yet be in stores.
Buying Local
As temperatures edge upward, so do hemlines, and since it's that time of year again, Fashion Denver is having its spring fashion market to get some fun summer styles out on the streets. "Fresh 2009" will gather 28 designers into one warehouse (1144 Broadway) on March 21 to showcase their latest designs.
Attendees will be able to shop the racks or watch fashion shows to see those styles in action. They can also participate in screen printing with Super Screen Print, get creative at a craft table with Fancy Tiger, make paper purses with the Denver Voice, and stand in for a photo shoot with Denver Connects (DenCx.com).
"We wanted a lot of interactive things that people can play around with," said Shigley.
Designers to watch include Fluidiam, a new apparel company that uses organic fabrics and soy-based inks, the sassy baby clothing line Mick and Mack, and Concreate Design, a new jewelry designer that takes concrete from its standard street use and turns it into jewelry.
The event will benefit the American Cancer Society.
2009 Warm Weather Essentials organic fabrics bamboo fabrics hemp short skirts bright colors wild sandals t-shirts sheer fabrics flowing dresses layers comfort clothes blazers with hoodies oldschool Ray-Ban sunglasses flourescents hats for guys peg-legged pants eco-friendly designs
FASHION DENVER 321 W 11th Ave • Denver, CO www.fashiondenver.com Showcase hours: 11a.m.-5p.m. Monday-Friday
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