Fresh New Fashion With Hott Pink Matter

“I brought fresh flowers!” Audra Jean Stachnik exclaimed as she arrived at a recent photoshoot, carrying a bin exploding with shoes, tulle and hangers.

The flowers are quite fitting, embodying the essence of her designs; cheerful, sophisticated and filled with beauty yet complex. Naturally, she would think to incorporate the organic beauty of flowers which ultimately defines her brand, Hott Pink Matter. 

Stachnik‘s energy comes to life when she enters a room, especially when her fashion designs are involved. Her once-hot pink locks could be seen in the crowd at any runway show, vintage market or fashion-related gathering in Denver. Although she now rocks brunette curls, her hot pink ambiance is still alive and well — hence the name of her brand.

In 2020, Stachnik took up sewing to pass the time and soon came to realize her pandemic hobby could become her livelihood. During a move from Michigan to Colorado, her brand developed and has become a staple in the small but mighty Denver fashion community. Every piece is handmade from recycled materials, proving Stachnik’s devotion to environmentally friendly practices and making every Hott Pink Matter look truly one of a kind. 

“I love fashion and making clothes, so being able to make clothing from secondhand materials, creating no demand for new textiles, feels good,” said Stachnik. “I also throw almost zero scraps away by using all my scrap fabric and threads as stuffing in pillows or dog beds to bring to shelters here in Denver, so it’s a win-win.” 

With that focus on sustainability, Hott Pink Matter transcends everyday fashion. Stachnik uses a variety of materials and fabrics to create colorful, fun and unique looks that elevate the natural beauty of the wearer. As a result, Stachnik’s brand has built a sense of community amongst her models, clients and supporters.

Pursuing fashion design is not an easy feat. Indeed lists ​​the average salary for a fashion designer at $15.98 per hour, although noting that various factors like location, experience, industry, etc. impact a designer’s salary. Freelance fashion designers, like the many that exist in Denver, are tasked with sourcing their own fabrics and materials as well as their clientele. The minimum wage in Denver as of January 1, 2023, is $13.65, leaving freelance designers faced with little room for expenditures outside of their necessary materials. 

While a fashion designer may be creating ready-to-wear pieces for the everyday person to purchase and wear, fashion also serves as an art form. Many designers express themselves through the pieces they create – although a runway look may not successfully land in a client’s closet. Therefore, designing and selling clothing in small industries like Denver is more difficult than one would think. 

It’s no secret that inequities exist in the fashion industry, Denver being no exception. Often photoshoots, runway shows and other event opportunities are associated with little to no pay for those involved. While the issues are widely known amongst the veterans in the Denver fashion industry, incoming models, hair and makeup artists and designers are often blindsided by the harsh realities that creatives pursuing fashion face. With the growth of her brand, Stachnik decided to use her platform to share her personal experiences in the industry while encouraging others to speak up and advocate for change. 

“I want to convey with my designs that the future can and will go in a different, better direction

and you just need to find out what you can personally do – any little bit helps,” she said.

Stachnik’s drive to stand up for her community is only a small aspect of her multi-faceted role in the Denver fashion scene. While she is always designing and selling her pieces, one can also find Stachnik at various photoshoots, runway shows, markets, pop-up events and more. Showing up in multiple forms is an essential foundation for herself and her brand. 

“I see a lot of artists who are crazy good at one medium be amazing at another one because they’re creative and determined and it’ll pan over to whatever they apply themselves to. I think sometimes people box themselves or others into one category when instead you can exist in all these different variations at once,” Stachnik said.

As far as inspiration, Stachnik’s mood often inspires her designs. As a result, her new looks are always different from the last. 

“If I’m feeling heavy emotions I’ll make clothing that reflects that with deeper colors, sharper silhouettes, adornments and vice versa,” she added. 

With her robust connections in the Denver fashion industry, Stachnik is continuously elevating her designs combined with creative photoshoots or runway representations to showcase the meaning behind each piece. She’s always on the hunt for the perfect model or location to make her looks come to life. 

And like any creative, Stachnik runs into critics. However, she has learned to focus more on her supporters. 

Her advice to those facing the unavoidable backlash associated with fashion and art? “Keep creating for the love of it, not for external validation,” Stachnik said. 

With a vase of fresh flowers in hand and a smile, Stachnik is likely planning her next collection, along with the perfect way to debut it. And surrounded by fellow creatives, her garden is growing to encapsulate everything that Hott Pink Matter is meant to offer: strength, individuality, creativity and perseverance.

Check out Hott Pink Matter on Instagram for more. Photography by Roxanna Carrasco and located at ReCreative Denver.