For anyone who missed New York Fashion Week or is simply hungry for more, Denver Fashion Week offers a compelling alternative. With roughly 400 to 500 looks per season, the biannual event makes a strong case for the Mile High City’s growing fashion scene.
This fall, Colorado designers are trading stilettos for sneakers as streetwear takes center stage on opening night, November 7. Runway producer Nikki Strickler says the theme is both a nod to Denver fashion’s past and a glimpse of its future.
“It felt important to highlight how much the local streetwear scene has evolved while giving both longtime and up-and-coming designers a platform to be part of that story,” she says. Streetwear kicks things off at Astra Point Event Center in Lakewood, but the seven-day event offers plenty of opportunities to dress for the occasion. Themes range from Western wear to high-altitude style, with a grand finale dedicated to couture on November 14.
“The week truly spans every side of Colorado style,” says AB Aharonian, producer of Denver Fashion Week.
Each season’s themes take cues from local trends, emerging designers, and returning audience favorites, creating a lineup that feels distinctly Colorado.
“Our themes are a way to tell a broader story about where fashion is headed and how Denver and Colorado are contributing to that conversation,” Nikki says. And this year, the fashion extends well beyond the runway. For the first time since its debut in 2012, Denver Fashion Week is inviting local boutiques, salons, beauty businesses, and restaurants to join the festivities. The free, citywide initiative encourages participating businesses to host pop-ups, offer special promotions, and create their own events throughout the week. In other words, you don’t need a runway ticket to get in on the fun.
Perhaps most surprising is just how accessible the event is. Forbes has described Denver Fashion Week as “a trusted alternative to New York for emerging talent,” yet aspiring designers, models, hairstylists, makeup artists, and photographers don’t necessarily need professional experience to participate.
For those hoping to break into the industry, the connections made backstage can be just as valuable as the exposure on the runway.
“I’ve seen models connect with brands backstage and go on to work with them in new capacities, designers sell significant amounts of their collections directly following a runway show, and models and brands connect with photographers who continue working with them long after Fashion Week,” Nikki says.
And forget the notion that runway models must fit a particular mold. Denver Fashion Week, produced by 303 Magazine, makes a point of welcoming a diverse range of faces, figures, and backgrounds.
“We’ve found that incorporating models of different ages, heights, sizes, appearances, abilities, and backgrounds can bring greater depth and authenticity to a collection and the overall show,” Nikki says.
Of course, making it all look effortless takes plenty of work. Preparations begin long before the first model steps onto the runway, starting with castings that evaluate everything from runway walks and stage presence to confidence and professionalism. Designer submissions follow, and producers work to bring the collections, models, and staging together into a cohesive show that gives each designer’s vision its moment in the spotlight.
The event also aims to make an impact beyond the fashion industry. For the second consecutive season, proceeds will benefit Ardent Grove, a mental health clinic working to provide affordable, equitable access to mental health care.
Tickets start at $50, and showing up in your favorite outfit is practically part of the dress code. Whether you’re a devoted fashion follower or simply curious about what Denver designers are dreaming up, there’s a place for you in the front row. Or at least somewhere close to it.
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