The sixth night of Denver Fashion Week, Society, brought theatrical performance to the runway for an unconventional take on high fashion.
The night was hosted by Mekialaya White, the weekday 4 p.m. News Anchor for CBS Colorado. White was styled for the evening by Tailored Self, one of the featured Society designers.
White then introduced Katrina Leibee, one winner of the 303 Magazine Entertainment Challenge. Leibee brought a striking performance to the runway with original music, setting an energetic and purposeful tone for the night.
From that moment on, the runway transformed into a space of visual resistance and cultural commentary. Eight designers from diverse backgrounds presented collections that challenged convention and celebrated identity, power and representation. The designers included RabbitJax, Kit’s Boutique, Tyne Hall, Timeless Trend by Ameliah Tene, M. Bolden, MadVan, Tailored Self and Bête Noire.
This wasn’t just a fashion show — it was a collective statement about the world we live in and the one we hope to shape through style, story and self-expression.
RabbitJax
RabbitJax is a designer on a mission to leave a legacy that has no boundaries — breaking down walls through fashion that champions gender equality. For designer Ray Howard, clothing is not about conformity but about expression.
“Clothes are meant to be worn,” he says, reflecting on the sight of men in ball gowns and female-presenting models fully embodying femme fatale aesthetics in his collection. “We are more than the clothes we put on.”
As a gender-nonconforming designer, Howard sees fashion as a powerful tool for shaping and disrupting culture. “I think that my brand, my essence, and voice are more important and need to be seen more—especially in the political climate we live in,” he shares. “I am the anti.”
His runway reflected this ethos boldly. Every model that walked carried not just a look, but a message — one of pride, resistance and joy. Howard makes it a point to center his models and collaborators in the spotlight, saying his goal is to make them feel proud, seen and empowered.
“We’re not just walking — we’re celebrating,” he adds. “Making model dreams happen is part of the vision.”
Kit’s Boutique
Kit’s Boutique delivered a stunning range of designs that honored elegance across generations. The collection featured everything from embellished ball gowns to satin evening wear, alongside more tailored, ready-to-wear pieces that offered a modern edge. Each look was carefully curated, with styling that elevated the individuality of every model, regardless of age or body type.
The garments exuded a sense of ease and movement — light in both color and construction — while still holding a powerful presence. Flowing fabrics, structured silhouettes and thoughtful embellishments created a harmonious blend of sophistication and approachability. Kit’s Boutique reminded the audience that beauty and style transcend age, and every woman deserves to feel radiant, powerful and seen.
Tyne Hall
Tyne Hall electrified the runway with a collection that was equal parts regal, rebellious and irresistibly fresh. Her designs fused historical drama with a sexy, modern edge — bodices sculpted to perfection, tailored to fit like second skin and crafted so meticulously they appeared molded to each model’s form. Several looks paid homage to Marie Antoinette and renaissance fashion, complete with striking bustle cages that transformed classic silhouettes into bold, unexpected statements.
READ: Tyne Hall Will Bring French Gothic Flare To DFW Society Night
Standout moments came through structured two-piece sets that pushed the limits of form and fit. Each garment blurred the line between fashion and fine art, daring in concept and flawless in execution. Hall’s collection wasn’t just about clothing — it was about presence. With movement, structure and storytelling sewn into every seam, she redefined what it means to be powerful, sensual, and unapologetically original.
Timeless Trend by Ameliah Tene
Ameliah Tene’s Timeless Trend collection brought cultural relevance and deep-rooted storytelling to the forefront of the runway. Centering her Samoan heritage, Tene infused her designs with traditional patterns, textures and materials that honored her ancestry while speaking to the modern moment.
Each piece carried a sense of reverence and pride — woven fabrics and earth-toned palettes reflected traditions passed down through generations. But these weren’t just historic references; they were living expressions of culture in motion. Tene’s collection served as both a celebration and a reminder that Indigenous and Pacific Islander fashion is not only relevant, but vital to the evolution of contemporary style. Her work stood as a powerful reclamation of space, showing that tradition and trend can coexist — and thrive — on the runway.
M. Bolden Boutique
M. Bolden Boutique delivered a collection that was both bold and enchanting, blending statement details with a sense of effortless grace. The runway came alive with flowing long-sleeved dresses, daring cutouts and eye-catching leather fringe elements that added texture and movement to each look. Fringe belts cinched waists and brought an added layer of depth, giving the pieces a dynamic, fashion-forward edge.
The collection struck a balance between playfulness and versatility, mixing garment elements ready for both everyday wear and evening elegance. From structured shapes to fluid fabrics, each piece was designed to be inclusive, celebrating all bodies and identities. M. Bolden’s vision reflected a commitment to style without limitations, creating looks that felt as empowering as they were authentic and as expressive as they were effortlessly adaptable.
MadVan Designs
MadVan Designs brought a fearless edge to the show with a collection that celebrated maximalism, texture and individuality. Known for bold embellishments and unexpected design choices, the collection featured everything from floral print and ballet shoes to layered fabrics that challenged traditional form. Each look felt like a visual experiment — rich in detail, daring in concept.
Rather than follow trends, MadVan leaned into narrative, using textiles and construction to evoke emotion and energy. Garments weren’t just worn — they performed. From voluminous draping to sharp contrasts in material, the designs expanded the runway’s creative boundaries and reminded the audience that fashion is a canvas for personal expression.
Tailored Self
Tailored Self presented a collection that was deeply personal, drawing inspiration from the individuality and energy of each model. Every look was crafted with intention — designed to reflect the aura, mood and presence of the person wearing it. The result was a series of strikingly unique garments that felt less like fashion and more like wearable identity.
“I want my models to have a feeling of divine — they all have that aura,” the designer shared. That philosophy shaped the collection’s core: an embrace of self-expression that empowers women to dress how they feel. From fluid fabrics to bold tailoring, each piece was curated to amplify confidence and celebrate the beauty of being authentically yourself. In a fashion landscape often dominated by uniformity, Tailored Self made a powerful case for designing from the inside out. Not following trends, but feelings.
Bête Noire
Bête Noire closed the show with a conceptual collection that blended avant-garde artistry with dramatic evening wear. A haunting mix of lace, sheer fabrics and sculptural silhouettes set the tone, with models donning towering black platform boots, ornate headpieces and beautifully articulated see-through dresses that challenged conventional ideas of glamour.
The show’s climax stunned the audience: a model dressed in a delicate white ballerina-inspired gown slowly poured black ink across the fabric, transforming purity into chaos in real time. It was a powerful rejection of perfection — a visual metaphor that confronted the norms of white simplicity and revealed the raw beauty within disorder. Bête Noire’s work was more than fashion — it was performance, rebellion and storytelling all in one striking finale.
All photography by Weston Mosburg.
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