Season 4: What’s Color of Fashion Been Up To?

As the temperatures rise in the Mile High City, so do our schedules. Something about the warm weather brings out the best in everyone’s creativity, energy levels and community. Late spring has blossomed with local events, fashion shows and panels raising the spirits of creatives and entrepreneurs. We’d almost argue spring and summer are Denver’s creative renaissance or anything synonymous with the holiday season.

One seasonal event in particular that Denverites look forward to is the Color of Fashion (COF) runway showcase. After coming off a successful season last fall, the COF team is back again for their fourth season, this time with more pre-show events. Repping their COF gear, on April 23 the COF team popped up at ThriftCon with Hannah Jane Designs and shoes from their past seasons for purchase.

“We chose to be at ThriftCon again because it is a great place to get into the community as many people from all around Colorado attend,” said Color of Fashion founders Samantha Joseph and Alicia Myers. “ThriftCon is a great event overall, and we are always happy to be a part of it.”

On Saturday, May 25, the COF team hosted their model casting at Desert Social with 300 models in attendance. Models of all sizes, races, ages and genders flooded several blocks of South Broadway for the chance to walk this season.

Model castings are notably stressful for all parties involved. For the producers and founders, several weeks of internal planning and organizing are necessary leading up to the event. For the models, questions like “will I be chosen?” and “will I nail my walk?” are top of mind. However, this was not the energy from anyone in attendance during the model casting, and we can prove it!

The Curio Cabinet team took to the streets and interviewed several emerging and returning models camped out in line. The state of the fashion and modeling industry has changed for the better, and COF champions in the area of diversity and inclusion. Founders Myers and  Joseph are models themselves and came into this space as runway producers with empathy and encouragement. The energy of excitement ziplined throughout the waiting creatives in line. The feeling was contagious.

Not only was it impressive to see how much talent from around Denver showed up for this amazing cause, but it also felt like a mini family reunion. If you are a creative in Denver and often find yourself at local events or other fashion shows, there were several faces you would have recognized in line who are just as excited to see you and each other. Community is important now more than ever. The many existing social media platforms allow users to build a large and curated “community” online, however, the zeitgeist of being around diverse minds and people is irreplaceable.

Every person in attendance knows and feels that what the COF team is doing is important and alters so many lives and mindsets. When asked what sets this show apart from other fashion shows, model Abena Colgan shared, “I think Alicia and Sam have created a platform for other Black women to stand together and stand strong to help create this platform for others to embrace themselves… and be around amazing humans.”

Community events have the power to inspire and uplift those in attendance. What happens at these events has a ripple effect, encouraging community and growth. COF continues to push the narrative and shows up for the community.

To get a taste of Color of Fashion this season, keep an eye out for more of their upcoming events and follow their page at @color.of.fashion! 

Countdown with us! Night one of the Color of Fashion runway showcase begins September 26, 2024.

All photography by Corey Myers.