Bête Noire’s Gothic Couture is Elegant, Dark and Different

“Bête Noire” is French for “black beast” and is used in English as “to be despised.” The phrase is also the name of Denver-based gothic couture brand founded by designer Alicia Rau, who has experienced that feeling of “being despised” firsthand. 

“Throughout my life, I’ve felt I was the black sheep of my family, and the black sheep of society,” said Rau. That firsthand feeling of “being despised” led her to create a brand driven by the color black and intended to offer elevated and wearable pieces of art that are dark, yet powerful. 

Although Rau went to school for fashion design, following graduation an opportunity to work in the music industry fell in her lap. While the role was fulfilling, it wasn’t until her grandfather’s passing that she embraced her true calling as a fashion designer. She stepped away from music, got sober and channeled the piece of her that her grandfather could see before she did: the desire to do more. 

Before his passing, he asked her, “what are you going to do when I die?”

The question stuck with Rau, especially as she reflected on her grandfather’s life. He was a Black business owner during a time where that was a rarity. Hearing his stories etched with adversity and trickled with his ability to overcome obstacles he faced, Rau felt empowered to carry on his legacy by starting her own businesses. In the midst of her grief just three months after losing him, Rau started her brand Bête Noire. 

“I was determined to carry on his legacy and turn my grief into something special,” Rau said. “I’m an old soul, so I don’t connect deeply with people. He was just one of my people.”

Bête Noire is celebrating six years in 2025, and while it hasn’t been easy, Rau does feel that she is building her own legacy while celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of her grandfather. 

The fashion industry is difficult to break into, especially in Denver where it’s not top of mind for many. It’s quite the feat to “start a brand with purpose and maintain your values in an industry that is just meant to destroy you,” as Rau added. While she has faced her fairshare of darkness which is represented in Bête Noire pieces that are mostly black, “it’s about taking and accepting that darkness and then making something beautiful out of it,” said Rau. 

“I think that’s my grandpa working through me… I would have never been able to do this without him and I feel him with me everyday,” Rau shared vulnerably. 

Rau is not just a business owner – she’s a mom, a wife, an avid snowboarder and a driven and passionate member of her community that strives to bring high fashion to Denver. As an entrepreneur but also a mom to young kids, Rau is not a stranger to hard days. 

“I have a deep understanding that for the universe, when things get hard, that’s when it’s about to get good. And so many of us give up when it’s hard,” she expressed. “I don’t think people realize the power of thought enough, you don’t have to fail.” 

In fashion today, it’s difficult to manage a balance of remaining authentic and true to your brand while crafting pieces that are meant to be worn and loved. To find this balance, Rau emphasizes the importance of creating pieces that are meant for people from all walks of life, body types and styles. She knows how important it is for her customers to feel represented in how she showcases and sells her pieces. 

This notion has led Rau to transition her brand from high fashion couture pieces to also offering ready-to-wear looks that are affordable and accessible. Her newest collection, Eternal Darkness, embodies off-the-rack pieces that can be worn and styled in any way. 

“We have a lot of support, but not everybody can own a piece of the art,” Rau said. “So it’s really important that we start making more accessible pieces while keeping our quality.” 

In this transition phase, Rau is learning how to adjust to a new process. Her strong team of four is the backbone of Bête Noire and they work diligently to bring the brand to life. While Bête Noire currently only operates online, Rau created a process to construct custom pieces using her expert intuition and offering customers a chance to create something they will love forever. With at least 50% of customers outside of the United States, Bête Noire’s reach is extensive. 

While working in the music industry, Rau created a piece for herself called the Adonia Statement Necklace. At the time, she was flooded with compliments and the necklace is now a signature Bête Noire piece and one of the most popular items amongst her customers. 

Bête Noire pieces can be described as striking, mysterious and truly a way to make a statement fashionably. This essence of darkness and beauty makes the brand unique and an asset to the Denver fashion scene. 

Rau’s looks are also runway ready, as she has presented collections at Denver Fashion Week and most recently a show at McNichols Civic Center Building called the Soul Shifters Gala where Bête Noire took the runway. With her background in music production, Rau focuses not only on the designs but the runway presentation, making Bête Noire shows a must-see.

Shop Bête Noire online or visit the Instagram for updates, a look at custom pieces and more.