Colorado Hippie and Haute: #DFW17

by De La Vaca

303 magazine’s Denver Fashion Weekend 2017, day two, was an absolute blast, if a bit overwhelming for the locals who showed up. Not that Denver isn’t fashion-forward, but sometimes when we perform fashion rather than live fashion, it shows up in our overdone attempts. Yellow Scene was not at Day 1, to our eternal regret based on the photos, but Day 2 made up for our miss with glorious lines, a red carpet to make us all feel fashion famous, and goodies from numerous local eateries, including Departure, Postino, Low Country Kitchen, Sweet Cooie’s, and HotBox Roasters.

Presented by Denver’s own Garbarini (Runway Fresh, Served in Denver), and hosted by the lovely Raquel Villanueva with Brooke Wade, the featured designers/boutiques for November 11 included:

– Byron Lars / New York

– Milly / Los Angeles

– Zadig and Voltaire / Paris

– ADD Down / Milan

– L’atlier / London

– Trina Turk / Los Angeles

– Diane Von Furstenberg / New York

– Theory / New York

– Haute Hippie / New York, and

– Camilla / Australia

That said, think patterns, think freedom. That’s what the #DFW17 was about. Airy fabrics, colorful patterns, and heavily accented and sequined won the night.

One interesting aspect of the event is the use of exclusively local models. Kudos to Colorado girls strutting the catwalk and doing their best to follow the instructions given to them over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, some of the overly stiff or overly excited made for a less professional experience than expected. We can’t speak for Day 1, of course. I’ve seen this play out in other spaces. An ex was a catwalker in New York through the early oughts and, in her post college pursuits, took time to [try to] teach a professional walk to girls for a local fashion show at UC Davis. Suffice it to say, the lessons are hard to learn. It takes a lot to get up there and walk like the pros in New York, LA, and Europe.

There were a few that really nailed the walk, however. Don’t let me act like there’s a dearth of talent here. The few that really walked it out got the applause they deserved. The ladies who walked for Zadig & Voltaire in the third line were probably the best of the evening and definitely made the show worth it. That fourth girl…whew. The lady in the seat next to me audibly gasped when she walked out and nudged me to make sure I was paying attention.

Zaadig & Voltaire, Line 3 #DFW17, courtesy of 303 Magazine, Danielle Webster

Zadig & Voltaire, Line 3 #DFW17, courtesy of 303 Magazine, Danielle Webster

Also, a quick moment of love for Camilla’s models, whose presentation was fabulous and whose exit was everything we love about runway. All wobbles and winks aside, all the models did a terrific job and represented well.

At the end of the night, the major take away from #DFW17 Day 2 for Denver was patterns. Patterns everywhere. Not that there weren’t beautiful solids, burgundy and beige, layers of grey from Theory, airy and bright designs from DVF, and amazing necklines from Milly, but the patterns throughout the show, from Byron Lars to Haute Hippie to Camilla are what stood out and what caught Coloradan eyes.

To be sure, in spite of the haute fashion from some of the best lines, including the revered Diane von Furstenberg, to visit Denver, the most uproarious response was for Haute Hippie, a line you will definitely see in Denver and Boulders boutiques, whether Lodo, Lohi, or Pearl Street. Fun and comfortable hippie chic, the mix of warm colors and earth tones that made up the Haute Hippie line filled the runaway with the feeling of freedom and sex and wild, and was followed by Camilla’s bright patterns, sequins, and glimmering bohemian beautiful. I would expect to see these style replicated for the upcoming spring season in Colorado.

Haute Hippie can be found at Revolve, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and other locations online if you need it now. And for the fashion forward, fast forward to March 18-25 for 303 Magazine’s first full week of fashion, Denver Fashion Week Spring 2018. Plan ahead, Colorado.

For the full collection of looks from #DFW17 Day 2, see here. Meanwhile, here are some of our favorites group pics and stand outs (all photos courtesy of 303 Magazine, via Danielle Foster).