Wow - What a great day for fashion, building connections and helping others!

For any of you industry folks who missed the FACE event at the Denver Art Museum yesterday, you missed a lot!  Carol Engel-Enright was responsible for putting on the most wonderful event for Fashion Group of Denver.  The audience consisted of fashion students, professionals and those inspired to be designers with no formal training.  The day consisted of expert panel discussions on various aspects of the fashion business from samples to production to marketing.  There was also a keynote speech by Lady Soule, who designs the Frock line of dresses for Tracy Reese and a talk on social media by Sean Carasso from Falling Whistles.  The day ended with a juried fashion show by both local students and professionals.

The judging for the show took place last Wednesday, and I was honored to be a judge.  The submissions from both the students and professionals were great and Cynthia Petrus produced an amazing show with all the garments inspired by "FACE" and in the color story of red, black and white.

I can't say enough good things about Lady Soule, who brought some of her Fall 2010 Frock collection to present to the crowd and held a live interview led by Suzanne Brown of The Denver Post.  Lady talked about her inspiration, her design process and her work with Tracy Reese as well as answered questions from the audience.  She was a delight and stayed long after the event to talk with guests.  I was fortunate enough to be one of those who got to spend time with her after the event and am happy to now call her a friend.

Another inspiring talk was by Sean Carasso from Falling Whistles.  You have to check out the story - http://www.fallingwhistles.com/splash/index.php  Sean has to be one of the nicest guys and most inspiring speakers I've heard.  His cause is compelling and heartwrenching - but uplifiting as well, because you can so easily get involved and particiapte for change, for the children of Congo. 

Perhaps the most unique thing about the day was both seasoned veterans and novices in the industry coming together, to learn from each other, to help each other, to connect with each other.  This is a truly unique setting in the fashion industry - it's a great story of community - of coming together to better the industry as a whole - to raise up a new generation of fashion experts - to build the business of fashion in Colorado.  If the first FACE event was any indication of what's to come in this town - we'll be one to watch for sure!