April 8th, 2011 
Over the decades, top fashion and design trends have slowly crept their way to the Front Range. Despite the great distance from style meccas of the coasts, the mile-high-city manages to house some of the most talented designers and creative geniuses from across the country. People are finally catching on and taking notice with fashion shows and style nights popping up all over the city. Promoter Dana Cain managed to get a huge turnout last weekend for the first ever Denver Style Expo, March 1st – 2nd at the Denver Merchandise Mart. 1300 attendees came out in droves for a night of fashion and fierceness.
Among the ubiquitous purveyors dying to stand out, Denver’s own Crème de la Couture booth rocked the house, with one of a kind, amazing, vintage pieces from Chanel, Dior, and Diane Von Furstenberg. The owner of this extraordinary shop is rumored to scour the country’s finest estate sales for the utmost in style and quality, reselling her fab finds at reasonable price points. No wonder Crème de la Couture was ranked Westword’s Best of Denver 2011.
Another huge hit among the trend savvy booths was Vintage Chic Jewelry, whose wearable artwork is crafted from beads and gems dating back to the forties. The designer Heide Lasher was even asked to create official pins for the Obama Presidential Inaugural Committee and has pieces that are permanently showcased at the Smithsonian Institution of American History. Perusing the display of designer outfits and handmade accessories were a fun, enticing prelude to the main attraction.
Photo Credit - Jeff Ball
Anticipation bubbled throughout the crowd. Every eye stalked the runway, eager to catch a first glimpse of the expo’s headliner Mondo Guerra, made famous by Project Runway. Movie theater music blasted in the darkness, followed by iconic cinema quotes from Eliza Doolittle and James Bond. Then, the moment arrived.
Photo Credit - Jeff Ball
Mondo Guerra flaunted his fabulously cohesive collection of over-scaled houndstooth and striped prints, partnered with pure colors in red, yellow, and blue. From the mini, to the shift dress, and everyday trousers, he mixed and co-mingled exaggerated shapes, with metallics, bold color, and strong graphics, updating the classics with ease. Daring, inventive, and eclectic, Guerra is leaving his mark on the industry one micro-mini fedora at a time. You too can snag a piece of Mondo Guerra’s style by sporting his ready to wear T-shirt collection, available online now.
Crème de la Couture
3041 S. Broadway
Englewood, CO 80113
Ph. 303-781-5577
