Denver Fashion Week’s Couture elevated the Mile High City to dazzling new heights of style and sophistication.
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Couture captivated the crowd with its six exceptional designers as they unveiled their latest collections. It was an evening where artistry meets innovations, as bold concepts and meticulous craftsmanship took center stage, turning the runway into a living gallery of high fashion.
From shimmering fabrics to avant-garde silhouettes, every piece radiated luxury and creativity, reminding everyone that Denver’s fashion scene is nothing short of world-class.
As the lights dimmed and the show began, the atmosphere was electric. What followed was a showcase of jaw-dropping ensembles that blurred the line between wearable art and high-end design. Each designer brought their distinct perspective, pushing the boundaries of couture while paying homage to the traditions of craftsmanship and elegance.
Hosted by Early Morning Chanel 2 News Anchor Chris Parente and featuring musical guest and the winner of 303’s Entertainer Challenge, CYOTI — together they created an energetic atmosphere, perfect for the evening.
Denver Fashion Week has once again proven its commitment to spotlighting talent, fostering creativity, and placing Denver firmly on the map as a hub for innovative fashion. Let’s take a closer look at the standout moments, the designers behind the magic and the collections that turned a Saturday night into an unforgettable celebration of couture.
AlturA
AlturA was a bold exploration of modern masculinity and avant-garde design. The collection captivated the audience with its dramatic use of deep, rich colors and unconventional silhouettes that challenged traditional fashion norms.
Draped garments and flowing capes moved gracefully down the runway, creating a striking interplay of structure and fluidity. Metallic accents, sheer fabrics, and luxurious silks added an ethereal yet edgy touch, making each look feel otherworldly and contemporary.
The all-male cast of models brought a fresh perspective to the runway, embracing femininity with low-back designs, delicate draping, and pieces that played with androgyny. Walking with a slow, deliberate seriousness to a backdrop of EDM beats, the models embodied AlturA’s fearless vision of individuality and self-expression. Each design was a work of art, inviting the audience to reimagine the possibilities of Couture and gender-fluid style.
SKYE|AIRE
SKYEAIRE, led by visionary designer Skye Barker Maa, delivered a showstopping performance. The collection dazzled with its striking metallic tones and bold textures, creating a visual feast celebrating the power and confidence of modern femininity. Models strutted down the runway with poise and attitude, their movements exuding empowerment and sensuality, perfectly complementing the daring designs.
Each piece featured SKYEAIRE’s signature flair for unique shapes & silhouettes, enhanced by intricate embellishments and luxurious materials. The models’ faces were adorned with maximized jewels and gems, adding a touch of glamor and mystery that tied the collection together. From start to finish, the show was a mesmerizing blend of artistry and attitude, cementing SKYEAIRE as a brand that redefines what Couture fashion is all about.
The collaboration between designer Skye Barker Maa and her creative team was evident in every detail. After speaking with the makeup team they shared some insight into the process behind the show.
“Skye is a creative powerhouse, she’s over the top with everything, which really pushes us to think outside the box,” DFW Head Makeup artist, Megan Urmann said.
The team works closely together with Skye to ensure that each model’s makeup and accessories perfectly compliment the bold, futuristic aesthetic of the collection.
Head of Barker Ma’s makeup team, Devon Collins, wanted to run with the theme “Art Deco,” inspiring the team to make intricate, hand made jewelry pieces carefully curated for each model. The result was a mesmerizing blend of jewelry and makeup that elevated the overall looks, allowing Barker Ma’s collection to shine on the runway.
Marisa Mae Cannon, a seasoned model with four years of experience, also made her mark during SKYEAIRE’s segmenbt. Having worked in Chicago and Miami and participating in Denver Fashion Week for the past three years, she easily brought a wealth of experience to the runway.
“This was my first time walking for Skye, and it’s been such an incredible experience,” she shared.
Marissa has also walked at New York Fashion Week, which she compares to DFW in terms of the excitement and energy. However, notes that Denver’s event is solely focused on the local fashion scene. Grateful for the opportunity, Cannon took a moment to express her appreciation for the team behind the show.
The Victorian Romanian
The Victorian Romanian, helmed by designer Nico Gustafson, transported the DFW audience to a bygone era of opulence and grandeur. The collection drew inspiration from classic Roman aesthetics, blending them seamlessly with Victorian elegance for a truly unique showcase.
Models in rich floral prints walked the runway like figures from a living portrait, exuding timeless sophistication and an air of regality. Big voluminous hairstyles and dazzling diamond jewelry — including bright, ornate necklaces — added drama to each look, enhancing the collection’s charm.
The designs balance the old-world allure of antiquity with modern artistry, creating a visual narrative that is as intricate as it was breathtaking. The Victorian Romanian show was a testament to Gustafson’s ability to reimagine historical styles through a contemporary lens, leaving the audience enchanted by the blend of tradition and innovation.
Qi Zhou
Qi Zhou’s collection was a stunning tribute to classic femininity. Dominated by a striking black-and-white color scheme, the designs paid homage to the elegance of the 1950s while incorporating bold, contemporary elements. Models wore dramatic oversized hats and chunk jewelry adding a playful, whimsical touch to the otherwise refined silhouettes.
The collection featured unique, flowing designs, with long, elegant silhouettes. Showcasing a dress with sleeves connected, created an ethereal effect as the models flipped down the runway. The use of gloves further enhanced the vintage-inspired aesthetic, lending a sense of sophistication and timeless beauty.
Qi Zhou effortlessly blended nostalgia with innovation, offering a collection that felt both retro and refreshingly new, embodying the poise and confidence of a modern day 1950s woman.
KAZOKU
KAZOKU showcased a stunning collection that embodied the perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern sophistication during Denver Fashion Week. Known for its meticulous Japanese craftsmanship garments and sunglasses, the brand’s collection featured gold embellishments that added an elegant touch of luxury.
The models strutted down the runway, each wearing their iconic sunglasses that served as bold statements of style. The traditional designs were infused with unexpected flair — cutouts and intricate details brought fresh energy to the show, demonstrating Kazoku’s ability to blend timeless aesthetics with a touch of modern pizazz.
The collection stood as a testament to KAZOKU’s commitment to precision, elegance, and innovation, offering pieces that exude both class and functionality.
Lisa Marie Couture
Lisa Marie Couture closed the show with a breathtaking celebration of glamor and luxury.
The collection centered around a striking black-and-white color scheme with some pops of color, showing an array of sparkling, jewel-encrusted designs that captured the attention of everyone in the room. Each model wore bejeweled socks that added a dazzling element to their runway looks, with intricate gem detailing highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship of the pieces.
The collection was a masterful blend of cold, modern aesthetics and timeless elegance, with jackets and dresses adorned with jewels and headpieces that added a regal touch.
As the grand finale approached, all eyes were on the final model, who walked down the runway in a stunning corset and wide skirt with a show stopping wedding veil, the perfect finishing touch to a collection that exuded luxury and refinement. Lisa Marie Couture’s designs were a true testament to the brand’s dedication to creating unforgettable, high-fashion statements that leave a lasting impression.
One of the standout models of the night, Emily Ayers who graced the runway for Lisa Marie Couture, bringing her experience and poise to the show. Based in Seattle, Ayers shared that this was her third appearance at Denver Fashion Week, and she was thrilled to return after taking a break from modeling.
“I modeled about nine years ago, but I took some time off when I got sick,” Emily revealed. “It feels great to be back and doing what I love.”
For her runway debut with Lisa Marie Couture, Ayers wore pieces that perfectly embodied the collection theme of decadent diamonds, bridal elegance, and a modern black-and-white color scheme.
“The looks were a fresh take on high fashion,” she noted. Ayer’s experience and renewed energy shone through as she walked the runway, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and the designer.
As DFW’s Couture came to an end, it was clear that the city’s fashion scene continues to push boundaries, blending creativity with craftsmanship in ways that captivated audiences.
DFW truly is unique because of “the quality of makeup and producers cohesiveness,” Urmann said. “Everyone comes and works together.”
From the unique designs of AlturA to the opulent elegance of Lisa Maire Couture, each designer showcased their unique vision and showed that Couture can be more than just traditional gowns and suits. The night celebrated individuality, as models strutted down the runway with confidence, embodying the spirit of innovation and artistry.
As Denver continues establishing itself as a hub for cutting-edge fashion, Couture proves that the future of style is bright, bold, and beautifully diverse.
Photos by Weston Mosburg