The Denver Design Incubator’s mission is to support a successful and thriving fashion industry in Denver. The following six workshops in June and July are formatted to meet the needs of emerging designers. Members and nonmembers may register.

Because launching a successful line involves a myriad of considerations, we’re starting the workshop series in June with basics: planning, scheduling, costing and bookkeeping. We want to prepare designers to build a solid structure for their businesses.

On June 8, a Crash Course: Idea to Production initiates a discussion on the Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing.  Carol Engel-Enright, M.S., of the Colorado State University Design and Merchandising program teaches the June 22 workshop on Costing Products and Bookkeeping Basics. For those ready to plan the work to be done, Kristen LittleJohn-Lasker teaches a Scheduling a Fashion Line workshop on June 29.

July continues with a patternmaking series. Patternmaking I: Flat Patternmaking teaches the intricacies of making a tailored pattern from measurements on July 13. The companion course (no prerequisite required), Patternmaking II: Draping follows on July 20. Engel-Enright returns on July 27 for a Fashion Illustration workshop.

Crash Course: Idea to Production – $25

Know what to expect before you launch your sewn product business. Using Kathleen Fasanella’s Entreprenuer’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing as reference, experience a broad look at producing a fashion line from start to finish. Target market, design process, sourcing, development and sampling, manufacturing, and finally marketing tools, will all be discussed in overview. With lessons from DDI staff and from Fasanella’s experience, you will gain confidence to plan and execute your line. Fasanella’s book, a rich guide with production schedule examples and first-hand fashion industry knowledge, will be available for order at the workshop.

Instructors: Rebecca Tischler, Kristen LittleJohn-Lasker.

Costing Products and Bookkeeping Basics – $35

Price your products for profit. Examine time, expenses and how to cut corners on cost while keeping a high quality in your brand. The second part of the course will cover bookkeeping practices to build a strong financial foundation for your brand. These practices will increase the longevity and success of any label.

Instructor: Carol Engel-Enright, M.S., CSU Design and Merchandising Internship Coordinator.

Scheduling a Fashion Line – $25

This course will cover time management basics, when to hit deadlines from first samples to photo shoots, to line sheets. Working from the date to show boutiques, we’ll work backward to show where you need to be on what date to minimize stress and make time for pitfalls that may happen along the way.

Instructor: Kristen LittleJohn-Lasker, owner of Imminent Rise, provided Apparel Product Development for Kidrobot and was a Sample Room intern for Dian von Furstenberg. She has a Bachelors in Applied Human Sciences with a focus on Apparel Design and Merchandising.

Patternmaking I: Flat Patternmaking – $30

Measure and draft a bodice sloper from measurements taken in class. Once drafted, we will make a mock up out of muslin and adjust the original pattern for a perfect fit.  You will walk away with a tailor fit sloper from which endless garments can be designed. Rebecca will also talk about different styles that can be incorporated into the original, creating whole new designs.

Please bring:  2 yds muslin, pattern curves, clear ruler, tape measure, mechanical pencil & eraser, red pen, tracing wheel, tape measure.  Muslin can be purchased at Denver Fabrics or other craft stores.  Everything else can be purchased next door to us at Ralph’s Powersew.

Instructor: Rebecca Tischler, Certified Patternmaker, Fashion Institute of Technology.  Head designer at Minus the Dart, a menswear inspired line for men and women.

Patternmaking II: Draping – $30

Learn to develop patterns through draping on the dress form. Draping is a unique process. Individuals will acquire the ability to manipulate and shape fabric on the dress form, enabling them to produce patterns from the fabric rather than starting with paper. This workshop will teach the skills needed to drape a pencil skirt out of muslin. Participants will gain an understanding of the basic principals required to develop production patterns by starting on the dress form.

Please bring:  2 yds muslin, pattern curves, clear ruler, tape measure, mechanical pencil & eraser, red pen, tracing wheel, tape measure.  Muslin can be purchased at Denver Fabrics or other craft stores.  Everything else can be purchased next door to us at Ralph’s Powersew.

Instructor: Kristen LittleJohn-Lasker, owner of Imminent Rise, provided Apparel Product Development for Kidrobot and was a Sample Room intern for Dian von Furstenberg. She has a Bachelors in Applied Human Sciences with a focus on Apparel Design and Merchandising.

Fashion Sketching and Garment Technical Drawing - $25

Learn the fashion sketching and technical drawing to bring your fashion, garment and accessory ideas to life. Learn how to draw garments including silhouettes, style details, and technical details in proportion and with fabric characteristics to translate your design from paper into an actual garment. Please bring pencils, eraser, 12” ruler, and sketchbook..

Instructor: Carol Engel-Enright, M.S., CSU Design and Merchandising Internship Coordinator.

Three of us went to the shows. It was a fun night and we had a lot of favorites, from the attendees of the event, to the designs on stage. We captured our favorite moments here.

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Fashion and hair creators collide this Thursday and Saturday as Mondo Guerra joins Geoffrey Mac and a host of hard-working local designers for Denver’s spring fashion weekend.

303 Magazine has advertised a relaunch of its print edition to coincide with the fashion shows, scheduled for April 11 and 13. Editor-In-Chief Jennifer McGlincy said 303 Magazine content will expand to culture, music, lifestyle, food & booze, health & sports, and sex & dating. “I am beyond excited that this issue is featuring our first ever celebrity cover, AnnaSophia Robb,” said McGlincy in a 303 interview.

Buy your Spring/Summer 303 Magazine + Denver Fashion Week ticket for $30 here.

Mondo has continued to capture the imagination of the fashion world with his innovative style and bold designs. Mondo’s capsule collection for Neiman Marcus and exclusive eyewear collection for SEE will be available later in 2013.

New York based designer Geoffrey Mac has developed a distinct and unmistakable aesthetic of clothing and jewelry His designs feature an unexpected but timeless mash-up of futurism and vintage eras.

Read more at 303 Magazine

Join us for Free Studio Time on Wednesdays and check out the spacious, productive space at 2040 Clay Street in Denver.

Membership levels start at $60 a month

Expanded Member Storage: 1.5′ x 2′ x 3′ lockers

Advance your line with:

• 2 straight stitch machines
• 2 sergers
• 1 walking foot
• 1 coverstitch
• 1 blind hemmer

DDI's bright studio fosters a community of sewists and designers who advance their designs in a collaborative, productive environment.

Member Storage Lockers are spacious: 1.5' x 2' x 3'

The pop-up markets will bring exposure to independent designers and artisans at markets in the Denver area:

• 3 Little Birds Salon – April 6th and 27th
• Kitty Mae Millinery and Accessories – April 13th
• Plum Goods in Stapleton – April 20th

The Denver Design Incubator welcomes experts in the fashion industry to teach workshops and mentor design entrepreneurs.

The Denver Design Incubator at Ralph’s is Colorado’s first and only fashion design incubator, focused on education and business development to turn creative ideas into successful and sustainable businesses.

The DDI carries out its mission and vision by supporting, educating and empowering designers with the appropriate skills for success in the fashion industry. We link designers to production.

Your experience helps us match your valuable skills to our members’ needs.

Experience in one or more of the following is helpful: sample sewing, fashion illustration, draping, marketing, branding, line sheets, selling your line, production, and other aspects of the fashion industry.

After completing the below application, please send resume, bio and/or portfolio to: info@denverdesignincubator.com.

Download a PDF application here:  DDI-teacher-mentor-application-2013.

Night and Day Vintage

Night and Day Vintage, 39 W. 11th Ave., Denver, Colorado

Chocked full of vintage finds, Night and Day Vintage has an adventurous compliment of household goods, clothing, accessories and old-fashioned fancies. Westword said Night and Day “looks like a scene inside Alice’s imagination.” We agree.

Goldyn

Goldyn, 2040 W. 30th Ave., Denver, Colorado

From Carol Ann Wachter blouses to Helmut Lang leggings, Goldyn’s designers are handpicked, and quite cozy this time of year. Our favorite find was a bright woolen hooded cape, a vibrant representative of Pendleton‘s Portland Collection.

Rakun

Rakun, 1147 Santa Fe Dr., Denver, Colorado

Rakun finds the cutest locally made jewelry, clothes, accessories, gifts, and more from around Colorado and brings them to you. Many of our wonderful treasures are recycled and upcycled from all sorts of fun materials. Support local business, sustainable goods, and find something adorable and affordable!

Sewn

Sewn, 18 South Broadway, Denver, Colorado

Jil Cappuccio, designer of One of a Kinds Limited Lines, makes clothing and accessories for women, men and children. She designs and drafts her own patterns, using lots of vintage fabrics. She has a discerning eye for color and unexpected pattern combinations. With over 20 years in the garment trade, she loves to sew, and all designs are handmade in house by Jil herself.

32nd West

32nd West, 3719 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, Colorado

Friendly, independent, family owned-operated offering outdoor, active, urban clothing, shoes and accessories for women, men and kids too!

Megafauna

Megafauna, 2710 Larimer St., Denver, Colorado

Megafauna has an eclectic mix of mens and womens essentials. Jewelry is made of recycled bike tires and coffee is brewed while you shop– you never know what kind of edgy goods shop owner John McCaskill will find. J. Aubrey, in-house stylist, can do your ‘do after you’ve found a one-of-a-kind, locally designed outfit.

From their site: “We are a soapbox for those who have grown weary of the corporate brand, the red tape of government subsidized ownership and the mindless advertising of mainstream mediums. We are passionate about the organic development of art in the American culture and seek to provide an alternative method for those who want to follow their dreams.”

Thread

Thread, 1227 21st Street Denver, Colorado

Providing unique handmade apparel, housewares, jewelry, and more, THREAD supports local artists in their quest to outshine the “super marts” of the shopping world. Large scale manufacturing of goods is void of craftsmanship and typically terrible for the environment. Supporting the handmade industry allows shoppers to create their own culture, while directly helping folks in the community. We look forward to bringing community together, while providing an alternative to ‘the norm’.

Moonchild Vintage

Moonchild Vintage (Online Only)

Exquisite Vintage clothing and accessories Victorian through the 80s.

Purveyors of progressive designer clothing and accessories.

From Carol Ann Wachter blouses to Helmut Lang leggings, Goldyn’s designers are handpicked, and quite cozy this time of year. Our favorite find was a bright woolen hooded cape, a vibrant representative of Pendleton‘s Portland Collection.

Goldyn
2040 W. 30th Ave.
Denver, CO
888-6GOLDYN
www.shopgoldyn.com

Stop by for hot chocolate and a taste of local, affordable goods.

On Sunday, Oct. 28, DDI will showcase clothing and accessories designed and made by Colorado creatives from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Industrial  sewing machines and a micro-production studio will be transformed into a temporary shop to showcase local designers.

DDI, 2040 Clay St., is a resource center for fashion design that aims to assist Colorado artists in the design and production of their clothing lines.

Memberships to DDI are available. Call 720-213-6601 or email info@denverdesignincubator.com for more information.

• TjB: What are you listening to now?
• AB: What I am listening to right now is a lot of The Sonics, Love, Joy Division, David Bowie (which is always) and The Animals. Its a mix of music genres but I like that, it keeps things interesting.
• TjB: Where is your next dream trip to?
• AB: My dream trip is traveling to Bora Bora or Fiji, building a tree house on the beach or just staying in one of those cool huts over the water and just relaxing, hanging out in the ocean all day then sipping Mai Tais at night in a hammock. I would love that.
• TjB: What was your fav runway show for fall/winter
• AB: I have a few favorites fashion shows from Fall/Winter. I really enjoyed Alexander McQueen and Sarah Burtons take on the heavy shapes and silhouettes and as always, the production element of McQueen shows are always top notch and just visually spectacular. I liked Comme Des Garcons as well for the bold shapes, colors and futuristic element. However, I loved Jeremy Scotts nod to the nineties! The Jane Child Nose Earring accessory and Bart Simpson leg warmers were amazing! Yes please.
• TjB: What is your fav coffee shop in Denver?
• AB: I don’t drink a lot of coffee but when I do, it’s Crema Coffee Shop on Larimer. Hands down the best coffee shop in Denver run by some of the nicest people.
• Autumn Binion is the Owner of Au79 Productions (www.au79productions.com)