Volume 3, Issue 19
September 13 - September 26, 2001

Fall Fashion

Story by Kity Ironton
Hair and makeup provided by Samara Cullian
photos by sean hartgrove & gary stefanski

'Tis the season to be stylish: fall la la la la la. Go-Go proudly presents the best clothes from the national front, and a pictorial review of three local designers' fall lines. Unless you want to go naked, you'd better read this.

TRENDSPOTTING

Magic International hosted the Fall 2001/Spring 2002 Expo at the Sands Convention Center and Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada August 27 to the 30. The marketplace was filled to the brim again this year with over 700,000 square feet of exhibit space, approximately 96,000 attendees, and nonstop fashion parades. Retailers from around the world flock to Magic to trend spot and order their goods, mixing with top designers and newcomers alike. The three hot looks in women's designs for fall are gypsy-tech, urban equestrian, and mod, with most of the leading designers covering all three.

Gypsy-tech is a boudoir combination of flamboyant fabric shawls, playful ruffles, and billowy flounces, all with the imperative lace-up in the middle. The knee length flared skirt, over the shoulder top, or low, low denim is key. Raffia, linen, silk, and suede soften the shape of the designs, while metallic threads, two-tone fabrics, and elaborate filigree accelerate the look. The trend is a luxurious response to the recent minimalist movement. Watch for military and jungle themes to dress up onto silks and crepes with this sultry style.

Urban Equestrian is sweet cowgirl gone bad. Thank Madonna for the inspiration here, with accessories being the fundamental factor. Dirty denim, washed and whiskered denim, and low-rise denim all innocently tease with saddle and bit western bags. Prada's saddlebag is a staple, or check out Christian Dior's cowboy pride with the Dior logo saddlebag. Even the denim is getting the saddle closures and bits as a garnished look, as DKNY rolled riding pants into its line. Leather and suede which is antiqued or weathered is a popular fabric in both the bottoms and bags, with dusters trimming out in fur. Chocolate brown is the base with burnt orange, camel, or cream deliciously filling in the middle.

Mod is everywhere, layered in brave graphics, colors, and stripes. Turtleneck sweaters under sporty jackets will be a strong theme-- Ralph Lauren and Helmut Lang filled their runways full of 'em. Black and white will continue to provide chic, along with the bolder colors of exotic purple, steaming orange, hot coral, and bright yellow. Knee-high boots, low belts, and shift dresses are a must for this season's most (post) modern look.

Men's wear is following suit with women's fashions this year, with washed and vintage styled denim reigning in bottoms. Corduroy is back this season, but in softer and thicker weights, and to top it off, try a cool mod geometric patterned shirt. Turtle is the neck line that is in, and the guys' colors warm up a bit this year with tan, coffee bean brown, burnt red, and even a splash of pastel pink and icy blue for good measure.

On the edgier side of fashion, punk is still king. Skull graphics, exterior seams, and lots of loops and straps continue into the season, but with grommets replacing last year's studs. Late '70s punk bands like the Clash, the Ramones, and the New York Dolls influence the look this year, with western-yoked shirts, thick black and white striped tops, and the matching of red on top of black, replacing the old black and white scheme. Shoes are flashing back to a late '40s era sport with spikey rubber cleats, duo tone coloring and bottom-line basic footwear stylings.

This season is a theme of opposing balance. Luxe sheens are daywear, with denim moving into the night. Textiles are being processed to feel like leather, with leathers softened to move like fabric. It is a yin and yang season-- technology balancing with nature.

POOK LONDON

Calvin did it. Todd Oldman did it. Even the Strauss's did it. And this fall, Denver's own Shannon Minger is doing it with Pook London.

Shannon Minger has introduced stylish separates into her Pook London Jeans line. This season, the local denim jean label will add funky flowing tops to the line to go with the revamped Pook bottoms. The separates, like the Pook London jeans, will be urban and sleek with contemporary trimmings as accompaniments. "I am concentrating on fantastic fabrics that are right in line with the denim," Minger said.

Minger has studied fashion and design all around the world, including couture-filled London, Sydney, and Paris. Pook London designs are inspired by the Italian duo Dolce & Gabbana and Britain's edgier Red Or Dead, but Minger said her true influence comes from "the London streets with just a little Aussie thrown in there."

The urban streetwear line features recycled denim, which is re-cut into patched, laced, zipped, and even fringed fabrications. "People are becoming more open to the jeans," Minger said. "Now it's time to really have fun."

The popular and trendy women's low-rise hipster jean is Minger's main focus for fall. "They just look fantastic. I love taking a pair of jeans and really making them stunning and a bit more daring."

Pook London will launch into the season with soft flowing tops and elegant blouses in the fall line. Feminine silhouettes, ruffled necklines, and even Chantilly lace lounge atop the studded and frayed denim creating a sexy nouveau city cocktail. "It's kind of like romanticism meets punky," Minger said. "I just mash them together to add an extra edge."

Men's designs will highlight bright bold colors fused with à la mode fabrics like snakeskin, washable leathers, and corduroy. The Pook London men's line, which also includes tops and bottoms, will incorporate a variety of funky patches and contrast stitching, constructing a fashion forward look. "I really like texture: layers of camouflage or leather mixed with denim," Minger said. "I've been working with masculine fabrics to create a sleek and smart look for men."

Pook London will continue to offer the signature Union Jack logo jean but will restyle it each season for a fresh, new look. "Pook London-- inspired by the streets of London-- is sexy and stylish, up and down. Your favorite pair of jeans."

"I always think of beautiful and bright colors in autumn. It's a time when you get that cozy feeling."

SERINA GRAY DESIGNS

Serina Gray Designs, owned by Serina Gray and her mother Terry Gray, is adding niche to their line. The family duo has been custom designing and sewing together for more than a year and recently opened a boutique on the corner of Colfax and Josephine. This season, the Grays introduce juniors and plus sizes into their collection. "We are introducing back-to-school," Serina said. "We haven't typically done junior styling."

Serina Gray Designs, staying true to its made-to-order origins, will offer custom work in junior cuts as well as the plus sizes. "There is a big market for plus sizes that feel pretty," Terry said. "It's fun to see women feel good about themselves."

The Grays take note of major designer runways and trends, but are quick to affirm that their designs are from within. "We won't do something just because [other] designers do it," Serina said. "If we don't like it, we won't do it."

"It's all about the timing and knowing the trends," Terry added.

"I just can't do the big bold prints. I hate that look," Serina continued. "I think it's a big miss, and its not flattering on any figure."

Serina Gray Designs will be featuring a "mod with a twist" style in its fall collection. Low-rise pants, shiny patent leather, and shift dresses with contrast trims are a few of the key items in the line. "It's a '60s look," Serina said, "but now it's more sleek and modern looking."

"It's going back to when I was in my 20s," Terry said. "I just love the mini skirts; they are so adorable with knee highs or short boots. That look can convert to women of all sizes and for every age."

Novelty trims in shimmer, beads and embroiderey will also find a place in Serina Gray Designs along with handkerchief hems and drawstring peasant blouses. "I love the ruffled peasant top and low-rise jean look," Serina said, "with big, huge belts ... I just love it!"

The Grays are hoping the future will bring additional Serina Gray Designs boutiques. Both Serina and Terry have faith in the future of the local fashion scene. "Denver is really becoming more stylish, and I think we'll see something really big here over the next few years," Terry said.

"There is an image [to the top designers] that Denver is boring and conservative," Serina added, "but they are the ones who are dull and boring. Something huge in fashion is going to happen, and Denver is a perfect place for it."

SOLIS

Jason Solis is packing up his line and heading west in October to the city of angels. Solis said he is pursuing creativity, to find something new, something that hasn't happened yet. "I have a driving force to keep moving forward," Solis said. "I want to reach people, to touch people."

Solis Designs has been inspiring and producing clubwear in Denver for the past four years. The signature floor-length faux fur jacket was a design influenced by Tyler Durden, Brad Pitt's rough and tough charachter in Fight Club. "The coat was only in the movie for like five seconds," Solis said, "but I saw it and said 'I have to have that jacket. ' It was the first piece people really noticed."

Unlike many designers, Solis said he doesn't spend a lot of time watching the European runways. He designs trend-oriented looks for an urban clientele and for what he personally wants to wear. "A lot of the designs come from within," Solis said. "I notice what's on the streets and I design what I think looks good."

Jason Solis began designing costume work in college, but eventually moved into designing clothes for himself and his friends. "I was making outfits to go out in, and people became interested in my designs," Solis said. "I started doing [fashion] shows, and have had awesome feedback to keep going."

Solis designed an entire line of club wear for men, and has just recently added women's wear to his repertoire as well. The styles are fresh and clean, fashioned with creative textiles like plastic, metal, and rubber. "I like to take all of my designs into a creative aspect," Solis said, "working with them in a different way to create something that is new."

Fashion and costume design, singing, acting, modeling, and dancing will all be nestled in Solis's bag when he lands in Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. "When I get out there I have all these things that I do that I want to bring and show them," Solis said. "I want to do it all, and do it well."