"When I make a line of clothing, I try to make something that everyone can pick from. There's something for every generation. You can take your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and there'll be something suitable for everyone."

Gino gets his ideas for his designs "from everyday life". He'll drive down the street and see something that gives him an idea for a whole new theme. This can vary from a Victorian to a cultural theme. "I try to take advantage of my moods," Gino explained. His latest show is focused on the big city '40's glamour look.

Gino says he doesn't want to be labeled like Calvin Klein is because Klein only does one specific style. He wants the freedom to be able to work with the moods he's in while always focusing a lot on sexiness. "There's a little niche that everyone has," said Gino. "I like to discover what that is and work with that."

A lot of Gino's orders come from his shows, but when someone likes an outfit from a show, it doesn't mean that he'll immediately make that exact outfit. "Before I make anything, I'll always have a consultation with the customer first. I want to know exactly what the person wants, before I make it. I want my customers to feel comfortable in what I make for them. They have to wear it well."

Pleasing his customers in this way means that he'll often change the cut a little bit and sometimes even suggests another outfit entirely. He adjusts the clothing his customer wants to the personality, body type and lifestyle of that person. Everything in the outfit will be customized to make it completely fit who ever will be wearing it. "About seven out of ten times, I'll make what it was the customer wanted in the first place. The other three times I'll advise them to choose something else."

The prices of Gino's pieces vary: "It depends a lot on the materials I use. The fabric itself, but also the accessories. A basic gown would probably be 400-5000 dollars, but it all depends on what type it is. If someone really loves a certain piece so much, I think that person should be able to have it. I'll try to work something out with them then. Sometimes I'll even let someone borrow the dress. It's all about the name."

"The custom design industry is a one-on-one kind of thing. It's all about knowing your clothes are unique. Knowing that there's not a duplicate somewhere," says Gino. His clientele is very aware of that. Some of his clients will have him design clothes for a special occasion --one where they want to look their best and not find someone else wearing the same dress. "Last year there was a party somewhere, something like the Oscars. Two ladies had me design a gown for that event. A number of people asked them where they got their dresses. That's how I get a lot of my customers too. People let each other know."

Gino is thinking about opening his own boutique, but he'll do it only if he can manage to sell solely his clothes there. "I want to have diversity in there, not just in style, but also in price. I had the opportunity about three years ago to open a boutique. Back then I wasn't ready for that. By now I think I am, but only if I can do it the way I want it."

Until Gino opens a boutique, the only way to obtain clothes from him is to buy them custom-made. The time it takes him to design a piece of clothing depends on what the kind of piece it is and the timeline of the customer. Gino can be reached through his pager at 303-207-7740.

Tired of swimming though the endless glut of mass marketed and produced style? Take a plunge into the outer space world of Scaredy Cat.

"Our custom designs are functuristic," says Stephanie Parnell of Scaredy Cat. "The look is functional and futuristic at the same time."

Scaredy Cat was recently featured at the weekly Fast Forward Fashion Wednesdays held in Boulder at the Barrel House (www.thebarrelhouse.com). As the beats heated up, Parnell's designs stayed cool, featuring a variety of modern day fabrics such as brushed polyknit and iridescent rip stop.

"Get It On Without Taking It Off" is a futuristic prom dress, with convenient holes in the front and back, a little shrug, and completed with a backpack a la mode ($160). "It's probably the craziest piece," says Parnell.

Scaredy Cat designs are each currently custom ordered and sewn by Parnell. "We are staying really focused right now, but are seeking a financial backer to move into retail stores soon."

"I've been told that my designs are twisted and angry," says Kuhn while discussing his Better Living Through Chemistry Tee. The shirt features a siamese twin fetus with the bold title as its frame. "It's just a reflection of society," says Kuhn sarcastically.

"The logo on the Devil baby doll tee is an old school devil from a poster I screened for MotorHead -- except for the missing Iron Cross -- the cross just made it appear too typical."

Kuhn's biting designs do not come without controversy. Jesus Loves You is a scantly clad diva punching a corrupt priest with a row of choir boys down in front. "I got some strange phone calls from that one... people who ordered it thinking it was a Christian shirt and were... surprised."

The KKK also was interested in Kuhn's work, and approached him to do a local chapter's design -- which he politely, but firmly, refused. "I thought I was going to get my ass kicked for that one," laughs Kuhn.

Kuhn is adamant that there is no single target audience, divine inspiration, or influence to his cutting edge designs. At the end of the day, skate enthusiast Kuhn says he answers to just one. "I don't care about all that other stuff, I only believe in the Grinding Gods."

--Kity Ironton

Kuhn's T-shirts are available online at www.swampco.com or at 9East, Juicy, and Soulhaus.