by Jessica Hughes
Colorado’s largest fashion event is back. Denver Fashion Week hits the runway on November 11, 2023, with the largest lineup of local emerging and established local designers.
Named by Forbes as “a trusted alternative to New York for emerging talent” and featured in ELLE, DFW is the city’s largest fashion event bringing together an eclectic array of new and seasoned designers with local boutiques, hair stylists, make-up artists, and models. Denver Fashion Week has been in production since its inaugural show in 2012 with the goal of supporting Denver’s fast-growing fashion industry. In 2018, DFW partnered with Denver Arts & Venues and VISIT DENVER to become Denver’s first official fashion week.
Kids take the runway with designs from Rainey’s Closet at the DFW Kid’s Fashion Show.
“Each season, we help new models get into the industry, supporting designers to break into the industry, working with Visit Denver to bring tourism to Denver, and putting Denver on the national fashion map as seen in Forbes and Elle Magazine,” says the Aharonian Family, founder and producer of Denver Fashion Week.
For the first time ever, DFW will be held at the York Street Yards in Denver. The 2023 fall line-up features six runway shows, the Southwest Hairstyling Awards, and a Model Industry Workshop. Highlights include eight days of fashion events, 36 local designers, 500+ models, the longest DFW runway to date with the largest LED runway backdrop, and brand-new lighting design.
“Once again, we’re elevating the experience for Denver Fashion Week with the fall shows,” says the Aharonian Family. “We’re excited to introduce the longest runway we’ve had since the show began with a completely fresh lighting design at an incredible new venue. We’re also pleased to introduce our new runway producers Nikki Strickler
Walking the runway in Geo in Style x Lasha Jokhadze at Denver Fashion Week Couture show.
and Hailee Lucchesi, and welcome new and returning designers.”
The show will feature emerging and established local, national, and international designers and boutiques showcasing their collections’ key seasonal styles. Kicking things off will be DFW’s largest international designer yet — St. John. The Sustainable show will be held on National Recycling Day (Nov. 15) and will feature nine local designers.
Fashion designers to look out for include Max to the Couture — the first fashion week for the seven-year-old ingenue designer showing his first collection in any fashion week here in Denver on Nov 18. Also keep your eye out for the Emerging Designer Challenge winners, J. Lin Snyder and Okime Kollections — both Denver-based.
The Streetwear and Sneakers show will feature one of the Emerging Designer Challenge winners, Okime Kollections, and an emerging local artist MCT who will be introducing his wearable art line at the show — with many of the art pieces that inspired his fashion pieces.
Society show will feature the other Emerging Designer Challenge winner, J Lin Snider.
In addition to the runway shows, enjoy a two-hour red carpet cocktail party before each show, where you can mingle with likeminded, top media personnel, and local celebs. Taste some of Denver’s top restaurants in the VIP room, and don’t forget to come dressed in different fashion attire based of the theme of each show.
Denver Fashion Week Schedule:
Saturday, Nov. 11 – Ready to Wear by St. John
Sunday, Nov. 12 – Southwest Hairstyling Awards
Monday, Nov. 13 – Fashion Model Industry Workshop
Tuesday, Nov. 14 – Streetwear &
Cherry Creek Dance at the Denver Fashion Week celebrating kids’ fashion.
Sneakers
Wednesday, Nov. 15 – Sustainable
Thursday, Nov. 16 – Society
Saturday, Nov. 18 – Couture
Sunday, Nov. 19 – Kids Fashion Show
You can learn more at denverfashionweek.com.
All images from Denver Fashion Week