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Anxiously awaiting Stephanie O.’s spring 2014 collection
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

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Denver Wilhelmina model workin’ it
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

Local designer, Stephanie Ohnmacht, stunned and inspired fashion fanatics at the launch of her 2014 spring collection.  Event attendees put their best loafers forward, dressed to the nines at the Clyfford Still Museum, where her pieces were strutted across the greens of the entrance.

“Stephanie O. designs are a modern classic” — Maddie Haenel, guest

The Clyfford Still Museum houses 3000 20th Century works produced by the Abstract Expressionist, Clyfford Still, himself. Stephanie O.’s 2014 spring collection brought the colors, shapes, textures and negative space of these pieces to life and transformed them to fashion. Ohnmacht described her first visit to the museum and how visually engaged she was with the graphic shapes, design and texture: “The raw canvas of Still’s paintings I saw was beautiful,” she said. “I wanted to create a dress from the painting.”

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Clyfford Still painting
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

The designer commissioned artist and painter Jenny Vorwaller of Seattle, Wash., to create the vision she was looking for within Still’s works. Vorwaller created the artwork, which was digitally printed and rocked on Stephanie O.’s 2014 spring line.

“The print translated well onto the various styles, creating wearable art.” — Jenny Vorwaller, Commissioned Artist

“The looks from the show are seasonless pieces: they could be worn year-round,” Ohnmacht said. The pieces from the show can be layered with blazers or cardigans for a fall look, or dressed down for a light summer or spring ensemble. Here are my top picks from the show:

The Vegan Leather Shorts and Royal Modal Top together created a chic and feminine, yet edgy and mod look. The Vegan Leather Crop Top and Vegan Leather A-line Skirt was also one of my favorite combinations; it exuded attitude and confidence.

As we all know by now it is all about the leather for fall, and it looks like we will be seeing that trend continue into spring 2014. Ohnmacht’s spring 2014 vegan leather designs are a prime example of her timeless wardrobe staples.

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Royally edgy
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

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Vegan leather head-to-toe
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

The canvas-inspired Color-blocked Pencil Skirt, Color-Blocked Aline Skirt and Color-Blocked Crop Top all breathed life into Still’s paintings, creating a unique texture. The pieces are ready-to-wear and can go in either direction of flirty or professional with the Royal Satin Blouse.

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Color-Blocked Aline Skirt creates legs for days
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

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Color-Blocked Pencil Skirt and Royal Satin Blouse
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

A favorite of the Ohnmacht-Vorwaller collaboration was the Georgette Black and Print Shirt Dress and Print Twill Sheath. The print showcases Still’s abstract expressive brushwork. The color palette creates a fresh and clean print, contrasting against the black dress and white sheath. The print enhances the movement of the Print Shirt Dress, a characteristic of her pieces for the spring 2014 line. The slits on the side of the arms create a fun day-to-night look, while the tailoring and lineage flatters the fit of the sheath.

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The Black Shirt Dress and Sheath Dress inspired by Clyfford Still
Photo by Adam Ripplinger

“The array of her designs have something for all body types” — Renee Lyons, guest

Where does Ohnmacht gain her inspiration?

She asks herself, “What do I want to wear next?” and always sticks to her signature: incorporating the painterly works of commissioned, wearable art.

Contact Stephanie at studio@stephanieodesigns.com to request a pre-order or check out her website at www.stephanieodesigns.com for updates on the 2014 spring collection. The collection will be available in stores and ready to ship into your closets by March 2014.

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Stephanie O. (center) and her 2014 spring collection
Photo By Adam Ripplinger