Eleven local designers showcased their skills at the Denver Public Library on Thursday night for a $2,000 first prize award. Nearly 1000 people attended the sold-out fashion event, emceed by Denver's CW2 entertainment reporter Chris Parente and burlesque performer Reyna Von Vett.
While attendees waited for the show to begin, some of the city's best food trucks greeted them with cupcakes from "The Cupcake Truck," pizza and burgers from Steuben's, and El Caribe Arepas.
This year the show's judging panel featured "Project Runway" finalist Mondo Guerra (aka "Frock"), "Shear Genius" contestant Charlie Price and 5280's Fashion Editor Georgia Alexia Benjou. The show's theme was Sideshow, prompting lots of theatrical and dynamically whimsical designs that ranged in season from summer to winter.
"Although it's technically a competition, this event is also a celebration of local talent and collaboration. Our real goal is to encourage creativity--while supporting a great cause," said Tran Willis of The Fabric Lab in Denver.
At the end of the show Guerra announced Francis Roces as the winner. Roces, who started his own fashion label in 2000 called KimonoDragons (available at The Fabric Lab), has been designing since the mid-80's.
After applauding the winner, Guerra told the crowd he wasn't going anywhere.
"After the (Project Runway) season ended, I initially thought about moving out to LA, but I decided to stay. Denver's going to be the next big thing," Guerra said. His designs can found at www.lovemondotrasho.com.
The event benefitted The Denver Public Library and Fresh City Life programs to encourage use of library resources.