BREAKFAST IZ ALIVE DALÍ-INSPIRED FASHION $IZZLES ON THE RUNWAY

The Dalí-Inspired Fashion Show was a magical experience that transported guests to a surreal world of art and fashion. Guests arrived at the Dalí Alive immersive experience, located in Stanley Marketplace, and were immediately surrounded by Salvador Dalí’s iconic works. Projected on the walls were vibrant colors and unexpected shapes swirling around in the air. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation and excitement, as guests settled into their seats around the circular runway.

The fashion show, produced by Factory Fashion, featured a dance performance and a range of local designers each presenting unique collections. As guests anticipated for the show to begin, more than one hundred production members worked together behind the scenes to prepare for the event. As the lights dimmed and the music began to play, the audience was transported on a journey through Dalí’s world of imagination, in a display of Colorado fashion at its finest.

Hosting the event, producer Skye Barker Maa, owner of Factory Fashion, opened the night with her brand, Skye Aire. Stunning designs set the bar high, bringing Dalí’s geometric shapes and lines to life. The models looked like dreamlike characters that had peeled off the walls and begun walking down the runway. Maa paid meticulous attention to detail, drawing inspiration from a variety of shapes seen in Dalí’s work. There were looks with sharp triangles protruding out from shoulders and dresses created with large circular shapes, each piece a contrast to the next.

Heidi Bowden’s presentation showed less is more, with a breathtaking piece of art that had the audience captivated and on the edge of their seats. A life-like eggshell with legs poking out, confidently walked the runway. All eyes were transfixed on the giant semi-hatched egg as it slowly made its way down, each step more tantalizing than the last. As the egg reached the end of the runway, it transformed into a fantastic display of bright translucent fabric, spreading out in a majestic representation of yolk spilling from an egg.

Kay Palma presented unique looks that were elevated and playful, from a fun lobster patterned blazer and short tight dress to a variety of red and blue dresses cut at various lengths. The models wore powerful black platforms, and some had long black mesh skirts with pink butterflies sitting delicately upon the fabric. One model even strutted down the runway in a butterfly draping over eight feet long, which a second model assisted in keeping elevated with a stick as they walked behind.

Perfect for the brisk cold of Colorado, Stratton Robe Co. presented exquisite robes that would turn heads both on the runway and in daily life. The long robes were embellished with a labyrinth of symbols and designs, accented with colorful fuzzy hems along the torso and wrists. The deep shades of red and blue were complemented by touches of gold, which were further highlighted by gold accessories, adding an overall luxurious look and feel to the collection.

Madison Van Der Lingen, the designer behind MadVan Design, presented a collection of edgy and exuberant pieces. Based in New Mexico, Van Der Lingen traveled to Colorado to showcase her designs on the runway. Models wore flowy tutu-like dresses accessorized with large crochet pieces, including bear and bunny balaclavas, and a wildly popular boob-shaped scarf. One striking pair of models had contrasting black and white outfits, with their faces painted to match their respective colors, creating a mesmerizing reverse image effect when standing side by side.

What had once been a pillowcase evolved into a stunning work of art, as Brandi Shigley, fashion icon and founder of Fashion Denver, brightened the audience with a handmade masterpiece. Bursting with pops of pink, yellow, orange, and green, her design spelled out “Dream” across the back. Her vibrant enthusiasm brought the creation to life as she skipped and twirled down the runway with a large piece of fabric that danced alongside her.

In contrast, Fashion Curator brought a feeling of royalty and mystery, leaving the audience in awe as four unique looks glided past. The first was a stunning white flapper dress with extra-long strings on the sleeves, creating a wispy and flowing motion while walking. Another look was a white hooped skirt, framed with an exposed skeleton, draped in thin red sheer fabric, with a matching ruffled red top and a hat with a long red sheer fabric covering the upper body. Fashion Curator’s final piece was an intricate robe with a glowing yellow inner layer that extended over 10 feet, flowing magnificently behind the model as she strutted around the room.

Rachel Marie Hurst brought sleek modernism and quirky allure, featuring a variety of fabrics sewn in atypical patterns, each showcasing her creative mastery. Each dress was distinct, ranging from a metallic cracked top to a look covered in pink fabric bundled roses, meeting a diverse range of style choices. Hair and makeup team Kaylee and Katie of Duality Studio Works, contributed to the presentation with radiant looks, styling models with their hair clipped top to bottom with barrettes and elegant gold hairpieces to complement the dresses and shape their faces.

Jk-co Dance made appearances throughout the night, thrilling the audience with their bold and uplifting performances that energized the entire space. Their bright red gloves immediately caught the room’s attention, all eyes followed their moments of stillness, which were suddenly interrupted by powerful and abrupt movements. Some dancers gracefully engaged with the audience, stopping to hold an individual for a moment, before running to the opposite side of the room to captivate someone else. The dancers’ movements were beautiful and harmonious as necks were craning to capture every moment as the dancers stretched and twirled with coordinated chaos.

Tyne Hall’s collection delivered cut-throat looks that exuded elegance and attitude. The garments incorporated movement, with one look featuring a cut-out square still-shot of a wave in the ocean worn directly on the model’s chest. Another striking look was a cut-out silhouette of Dalí’s face attached on the chest of a black sheer long-sleeve top. The collection also had varying layered skirts and full-body pantsuits, elevated by international nail artist, Kristin Rossi of Nails By KR, with long flowing ribbon-adorned nails. At the end of the runway, a model even revealed a Dalí-shaped mustache physically attached to her nail by lifting her finger to her upper lip.

Designer Kate Major’s debut collection for Dissatisfying was a dazzling spark of joy, featuring a collection of long puffy skirts inspired by sea life. Models wore red beanies, white crop tops, and platform Crocs, unifying the collection and framing each unique skirt. One piece took inspiration from an octopus with large pink tentacles wrapped around the waist that swayed on the runway. Another had small stuffed hands protruding along the sides of a black skin-tight dress, resembling a classy humanoid caterpillar.

Matilda Marginal’s innovative and unforgettable approach to the runway was inspired by Salvador Dalí’s porcelain sculpture, “Retrospective Bust of a Woman” from 1933. Dalí’s surrealist work features a woman with a baguette on her head. Marginal brought this to life by accessorizing various types of artisan bread complementing obscure high-fashion looks. Sunglasses, bags, hats, shoulder pieces, necklaces, headbands, ear muffs, and even an eye patch were all created with various types of bread, inspired by Dalí’s use of a baguette as headwear in the sculpture. This unconventional approach to fashion paid homage to Dalí’s surrealist work in a truly memorable way.

Romper Girl brought a hip elegant style, paying tribute to the red tones that come with the season of love while incorporating pops of green hinting at spring. Models wore colored berets, styled with dresses and skinny high heels for added height. One outfit featured black long-sleeves with white polka dots, while another was all red with long open sleeves, both wearing bright red hats and matching lipstick. Another look, a white and green dress with a jacket slung over the shoulder added a whimsical touch and a reminder of the erratic springtime weather.