Glowin’ and Growin’ Nurtures Denver

Six Denver designers showcase runway collections prompted by the question, “what nurtures you?”

What nurtures you? It could be your support system, your creativity or the environment. Is it the roof over your head? The passion that is on your mind when you wake up in the morning? 

For the Glowin’ and Growin’ team? It’s fashion. 

Glowin’ and Growin’, a two-day event located at Nurture on Friday and Saturday, started with two girls and a dream. The outcome was a celebration of local fashion, art, creativity and expression. 

Founder Halle Madeleine and Fashion Director Jordan McClendon brought the Denver fashion scene to life for the second year of Glowin’ and Growin’. Joined by Madeleine Stegman of Motherfunk Events, Production Assistant Shannon Grayce, Getting Ready Party Curator and Director of Vendor Relations Marianne Moses and the mind behind the show’s social media Julia Belian, Season 2 left showgoers asking themselves, “what nurtures me?”

Participating designers were asked the same question: “what nurtures you?” 

The answers ranged from nature to self-expression and everything in between. Each collection represented the designers and their personal experiences, with the help of their models, hair and makeup artists, family, friends and supporters to celebrate their representations of nurture on the runway. 

Photo by Jackson Davis.

For McClendon, the community effort put forth to make the show happen is what makes Glowin’ and Growin’ special. 

“This is what the Denver fashion scene is about, it is about trust, it is about camaraderie, it’s about being open and being very versatile,” McClendon said. “I’m just excited that everyone put that to the forefront and everyone in our community gets to experience that.” 

the cause

Every year, a portion of Glowin’ and Growin’ proceeds are donated to Lincoln Hills Cares, a nonprofit based in Denver. 

Lincoln Hills Cares is a charitable organization with core values of community, education, equity, respect and nature that are at the foundation of their programs empowering youth through outdoor education and recreation. The organization often supports individuals who may not have the opportunity to explore the outdoors due to social or economic circumstances. 

To kick off the show, a group of Lincoln Hills Cares leaders described the mission and purpose of the organization along with their connection to Glowin’ and Growin’. 

Their mission is “to make sure that we get youth from all over, take them all over, and give them a rewarding summer,” Youth Program Director, Braylen Aldridge told the Glowin’ and Growin’ audience. 

With exciting new opportunities for Lincoln Hills Cares like the “Adopt A Classroom” program starting this year to help teachers build curriculum and design lesson plans for environmental sustainability, Glowin’ and Growin’ gives back to continue to help support the mission. 

FREAKY FINDS VINTAGE

Photo by @kattmahn.

Saturday’s showcase began with a collection from Freaky Finds Vintage,  representing nature in its truest form. Located in Nurture, Freaky Finds Vintage is owned by Arial Hudler. 

“I feel the most nurtured when I’m in nature or in the outdoors,” said Hudler. Therefore, “I leaned into showcasing the elements.”

The audience was graced with looks that resembled water, earth, fire and air. Each wearable yet sophisticated look was feminine while exuding a thoughtful sense of power. The collection bridged femininity with nature while celebrating vintage and upcycled fashion.  

Accessories stole the show as models adorned an elaborate pearl choker, beaded hair accessories and more. 

“I’m proud of myself,” Hudler said. “This is my first time doing something like this, walking with a line, being in a fashion show.”

Audience members would never guess this was the first Freaky Finds Vintage runway show, with the seamless and beautiful embodiment of what nurtures Hudler shining through the looks on display. 

MY GENERATION

Photo by @kattmahn.

Designer Ashleigh Perri has made a name for herself and her brand My Generation Swim nationwide, with collections in major runway shows from Miami to Los Angeles to New York and in between. Combining her love for music and fashion, Perri creates one–of–a–kind swimwear for anybody and any body. 

Those familiar with Perri’s brand were graced with new shapes and silhouettes as her collection in Saturday’s show rocked the runway. While she is recognized for her one-piece swimsuits featuring colorful music icons, this collection featured two-piece suits, biker shorts, fishnets and use of accessories like records, headphones and more. 

My Generation showcases idols that most recognize, like Led Zeppelin, Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks and more. This gives the brand purpose, and the edgy yet modern colors and designs prove that anybody can truly rock their swimwear. 

BILLBOY CLOTHES AND MINIFRIDGE MAKES

Photo by Jackson Davis.

Filled with energy and excitement, the crowd gawked as Billboy Clothes and MiniFridge Makes presented their collaborative runway collection. The looks combined art from Founder of Billboy Clothes Gabe Grimm and crochet from Founder of MiniFridge Makes Aliya Zigman. 

Both shared heartfelt stories behind their creations. Grimm uses art as a form of therapy to help with Tourette Syndrome. Zigman’s art is an ode to their mother, who taught them to sew and introduced to Zigman the meaning of love in handmade clothes after the two repaired a once tumultuous relationship through the shared appreciation of crochet. 

The streetwear collection combined knits and screen-printed artwork, highlighting lime greens and blues. Each look was emphasized with accessories, merging modernity and tradition while telling a story throughout the very cohesive collection. 

“What we’re going for is contemporary art, because all of my prints are my art, mixed with one of the oldest ways to make clothes,” said Grimm. 

“I think when people think of crochet, they think of granny squares,” Zigman added. However, MiniFridge Makes represents modern crocheting. “I think it’s just new age.” 

For both designer’s first runway show, the looks were extremely impressive. The style embodies streetwear with both an edgy and hip vibe that felt as if the runway was transformed into a warehouse fashion show in New York City. 

“When I first got here for the dress rehearsal, I had a lot of imposter syndrome, I was like ‘I shouldn’t be here, I’m not good enough,’” Zigman expressed. “It’s been relearning what that means for me and to be like, ‘no, I am good enough. I’m in a fucking fashion show.’”

THE DENVER GINGER

Photo by @kattmahn.

After a brief intermission, Nurture was transformed into a modern saloon – but an invite-only version for a stylish group donning western wear that sparkled on the runway. With deep reds, cowboy boots and sequined accessories and embellishments, this collection truly brought to life the essence of new-age western wear. 

Designer Nicole Manning owns The Denver Ginger, a vintage store located in Nurture. She was a model in Season 1 of Glowin’ and Growin’ and returned for Season 2 with a collection inspired by her Southern roots. Manning is from North Carolina and incorporated the aspects of her upbringing that she knows and loves, with touches of both western and coastal themes.  

With lots of layering, unique silhouettes, big belt buckles and shiny accessories, Manning brought the modern cowboy and cowgirl to life. Her upcycled and vintage looks were strikingly creative while honing in on the traditional Southern roots that nurture her. 

For Manning, the experience “involves so many creative people and we’re able to be playful with fashion, hair, makeup and there’s so many creative individuals that are involved in this process,” she said. “That’s why I’m here, we’re having a blast and it’s fun.”

KOZY

Photo by @kattmahn.

The show continued as designer Kozy transformed the start of the runway into the space where all of her creative juices flow: her apartment. With only several looks, the collection spoke for itself. Kozy allowed the audience to see inside her mind for how her creative process works. 

With elaborate makeup and white, flowing pieces, the collection felt otherworldly. The runway represented a fairytale as a nod to Kozy’s sacred space where she rests, retreats and is inspired by the work that comes to life on the runway. The angelic ambiance paired with simplistic looks felt like a celebration of the human body and mind, as well as all of the creativity that a fashion designer has to offer. 

Kozy showcased a look herself and took a bow at the end, proceeding to lead her army of fairies back down the runway. 

CHROMATIICAT

Photo by Jackson Davis.

Denver’s electronic dance music (EDM) and rave scene is prolific, with various music venues often hosting artists whose fanbases dress to impress. Festivalwear designer Kirsten Joranlien created Chromatiicat to offer wearable art that contributes to the magic of music festivals. 

The collection played with various textures like fur, sequins, beads, tulle and more to light up the runway with radical yet sexy pieces. Several looks were even complete with colorful hair extensions by Sarah Boyd, personifying true festival fashion and culture from head to toe. 

Each look represented a story for various festival themes, with small and intentional touches like a constellation of stars in the liner of a fur vest and sequined fur jackets complete with hoods, tails, cat ears and more. 

Joranlien turned festival wear into a sexy and stylish phenomenon that audience members were itching to be part of based on the energy in the room. 

The designers took the runway together for a final walk to close out the show alongside Madeleine and McClendon, symbolizing solidarity and the true community behind Glowin’ and Growin’. Each designer showcased their own version of what nurtures them, resulting in a diverse representation of different styles and personas in fashion. Now that’s something to celebrate. 

Following the runway showcase, showgoers joined in on the celebration for a dance party outside Nurture. A crowd joined the Glowin’ and Growin’ team including designers, models and audience members under twinkle lights, disco balls and one of the rare warm Colorado nights this summer. 

That sense of community is what nurtures us here at The Curio Cabinet. Seeing an abundance of young, fresh faces and fashion all under one roof is what makes us proud to be here and excited for what’s to come.