Season Finale: A Black and White Occasion With Denver Arts & Venues

The Cultural Runway Series Goes Monochrome

On October 12, Denver Arts & Venues invited emerging designers to lower the saturation of their looks and embrace greyscale and monochromatic shades for the finale of the Cultural Runway Series. 

This black and white themed finale showcased the sophisticated and timeless nature of these classic shades. Throughout the Cultural Runway Series, the themes tied fashion back to visual art making each experience immersive and accessible for the community. During each show, guests could view exhibitions on display at the McNichols Civic Center Building and the Buell Theatre. Fitting the monochrome occasion, artist Joe Palec showcased a custom black and white mural for attendees to admire and snag a photo op before and after the show. 

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The show kicked off with a heartfelt welcome from fashion show producer Shanna Shelby. This series was a labor of love with Shelby’s passion and community mindset backing the cause. During her welcome, Shelby took the time to thank all members of the team including Rob Gray, the McNichols Civic Center team, the production staff and more. 

Some of you know that this is the end of the cultural runway series. I am touched and honored by everyone who came out tonight to recognize this series. I am moved tonight by the people who have supported me for so long. I want to thank Rob Gray especially…thank you Rob for being my collaborator, inspirer and partner through this series,” she shared.

During her welcome, Shelby also introduced the new emcee for the night, Pines, founder of clothing brand Adult Ent®. Pines encouraged the fashion and art-loving crowd to show love and support to members of the community, especially the talented artists who put their designs on display for the night. 

La Adorna

And with that, the series finale officially commenced. Up first was designer Brittany Schall of La Adorna. Previously featured in Harper’s BAZAAR, it was a treat for all to witness these one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces. La Adorna has a knack for utilizing unique colors and unexpected materials. However, designer Schall was up for the challenge of curating a collection fit for the occasion.

Usually I lean into bright colors and exaggerated silhouettes, but for the closing of this series I wanted to do something more classic. These looks were a lot more fitted, included more a-line silhouettes and more contoured pieces,” Schall shared.

These captivating looks were the perfect start for the show. Each look played with dimension and texture with overly structured materials, vinyl and plastic. This collection was fun, flirty and ultra feminine. Models rocked two piece sets with skirts and tops in different lengths and structures. The mini skirts added all the fun and flair to the collection while a long black vinyl multi-tiered ruffle skirt brought all the sophistication. Our favorite piece in this collection included an iridescent high-low skirt paired with a beaded top that mimicked a vest. As a disrupter in the fashion world, La Adorna continues to spellbind us into her magical world of avante-garde looks. 

Lowkey Industries

Designer Rafee Hagop of Lowkey Industries provided a grunge collection perfect for spooky season. This collection had an effortless appeal but didn’t shy away from including minor details that made a big impact. Black was the main base for each look while different fabrics like denim, knit, velvet and cotton remained as the consistent textiles throughout the collection. Models strolled down the runway in everyday attire like sweaters, denim jackets, baggy jeans, hoodies and a matching sweatsuit. Lowkey Industries took everyday attire and customized them with signature barbed-wire designs signifying “self-defense and boundaries,” or adding mini silver key embellishments to a classic knit sweater, along with the show stopper, a red and purple satin lining, to add an extra kick to a black denim jacket. 

Andrea Fischer

Known for her bright and festival-like designs, Andrea Fischer is the queen of all things vibrant and colorful. We’re almost tempted to think Brat green was inspired by Fischer herself! Nonetheless, Fischer took on the challenge of turning down the hues and going full greyscale and did it well. The collection was still classic Fischer with a dark twist and proved that black and white does not have to be boring. This imaginative collection utilized sheer black and white tulle and patchwork cotton fabrics that made each piece unique and versatile. A matching top and skirt piece made completely out of tinsel and hair from Half Sweet Studios stunned the crowd. Fischer also included a patchwork menswear outfit of our dreams made out of t-shirts from her original t-shirt brand, Mean People Suck. While staying true to the challenge and her colorful roots, Fischer included a hint of her signature lime green throughout the collection in the form of drawstrings in each look. 

Santiago Sirawa

All the allure and beauty of the mid-century 1960s fashion was resurrected on the runway with a modern twist through the taste and talent of designer Santiago Sirawa. Sirawa’s vintage state of mind brought several elevated and elegant pieces to life with ease. Known for his gorgeous vintage dress designs, Sirawa introduced a menswear outfit for the first time down the runway. Menswear is having its moment this year and vintage staple pieces have been a source of inspiration to all. This look came together with baggy denim pants detailed with grey patches alongside a matching jacket with iridescent satin patches. This mini black and white collection moved towards sexy and tighter fits rather than Sirawa’s typical flowy dresses. A jaw-dropping piece like the polka dot and velvet mini dress with cut-out side seams worked the room while hinting at Sirawa’s use of vintage inspiration. 

Lovesick

Streetwear brought us back to the present day through designer Shohruhhon Ganiev of Lovesick. On the verge of entering five years of business, this streetwear brand almost stole the show with this cohesive line made for the rebel with a heart. Each look was carefully curated reminding us that cold weather ready looks work best with more layers and dimension. The use of the iconic Lovesick logo and “I’m Sick of Love” tagline throughout each look brought an element of nostalgia to a time when brand recognition and storytelling were at the height of fashion through the bold and blatant incorporation of trademarks. Lovesick’s black and white collection was striking and brought an exclusive and luxurious element to street style apparel. 

Michelle Delahoussaye

When we think of the iconic Michelle Obama quote, “Girl you have done it again constantly raising the bar for us all and doing it flawlessly. I’d like to say I’m surprised but I know who you are,” we immediately think of designer Michelle Delahoussaye. Putting a modern twist on French queen and fashion icon Marie Antoinette, Delahoussaye stunned the crowd with a collection of sexy and extravagant black gowns. Delahoussaye has a knack for creating showstopping evening wear dresses and felt right in her element working with darker shades. 

My family is from New Orleans, so I wanted to incorporate that French, spooky, vintage, and Parisian style…typically I love working with black fabrics so this is right in my element,” Delahoussaye said. 

These gowns were constructed out of lace and velour fabrics appearing to be black tie ready. Each dress emphasized the feminine shape with corset tops, open back design, and lace see-through touches. Delahoussaye’s expert draping abilities constantly raise the bar for dresses that are meant for movement and making a statement. 

Tokiprism

Entering the whimsical world of forces that operate under light or dark energies comes designer Nagisa Corbett of Tokiprism. Corbett earnestly spoke about the symbolism of dark and light energies and how she wanted that to appear on the runway. These natural emotions have hit everyone and this collection was a reminder to embrace them and have balance. Tokiprism leaned into edgy, goth and cyberpunk aesthetics and designs throughout the collection. Each look was inviting and creative, and her signature logo was included. Models wore outfits that fit any occasion from street style, rave to formal attire, these disruptive looks made sure to include goth details like chains, grommets, studs and corset detailing. When we thought we’d seen it all, an angel appeared. Corbett flawlessly ended the show by dressing a model in all white with angelic accessories and details including large feather angel wings and a lace coif. Made out of recycled materials and fabrics, Tokiprism’s one of a kind designs was the perfect ending to the black and white affair.

If there is one thing to remember from the Cultural Runway Series, it is that Denver has an incredible community dedicated to the arts and accessibility. On and off season, we are confident that Shanna Shelby and the Denver Arts & Venues team will continue to ignite and support the creativity and innovation that is running rampant through the city. 

To stay up to date with everything going on at Denver Arts & Venues, follow their page at @denverarts.

All photography by Victoria Glidden and Abby Schirmacher