Named "Denver's Best Fashion Designer" at the Denver Style Expo, Gino Velardi is one of the stars of Denver's burgeoning fashion scene.
But Velardi's designing dreams nearly came to an end when he recently suffered a stroke followed by a brain aneurysm and a bout with colon cancer (he is now in remission).
While Velardi is doing better now health-wise, we all know health care isn't cheap and so the Denver-based, self-taught fashion designer is hosting a fashion show Thursday, October 3 to raise money for his medical expenses.
The 2013 Gino Velardi Fashion Show will feature a show of over 75 looks with 25 models, a retrospective display of Gino Velardi fashions in the reception area, a live photo shoot, fabulous music by Rockstar Aaron, and free food at Exdo Event Center.
I had a chance recently to chat with the exuberant artist about the upcoming show, Denver's fashion scene, and being Denver's "Best Fashion Designer."
So Gino, how does it feel to be Denver’s Best Fashion Designer?
According to the Denver Style Expo? It feels great! I get so many awards, you see. This and that, an Oscar here and there. (laughs)
Fashion is such a difficult and competitive business. To what do you attribute your success as a fashion designer?
It’s funny, I’ve just been doing it so long. I’ve just been sticking it out here in Denver and I love being part of the art and fashion scene. I know and work with so many different people and I speak at schools like AI and Emily Griffiths; I think a lot of it is just that I’ve been in the game for so many years.
How many years we talking?
Oh, really? You want to count years? (laughs) I would say professionally about 10 years but I started off doing costuming and styling for little shows before that. It just kind of happened and I realized I had a talent for it. Growing up my parents' goal for me was to become a trial lawyer but that wasn’t for me. I was always in the art scene but I didn’t really want to be a designer until a friend of mine who owned a gallery she said she wanted to put me on the bill to show a few outfits at a
show she was doing. I was like 'no thanks' but she was like 'it’s already done'. So I ran out that day to a pawn shop and bought a sewing machine and went to a fabric store and created six outfits. They were horrendous. Awful. But it gave me the bug and I’ve done hundreds of shows since then. I paid my dues at bars and little galleries and at this point in my life I’m at a level where we’re having large shows - 70 outfits, 25 models, two salons are working with me on this because it’s such a big show. I’m one hundred percent self-taught but I decided if I was gonna do it I was gonna do it all the way.
That's such an excellent life lesson. I think people sometimes overlook the fact that we don't start out as experts at anything. We have to work and learn and evolve and we have to create our share of not-so-great stuff ...
A lot of it! A lot of bad, really terrible stuff! But then you eventually make it to the other side of the fence.
For those who aren't familiar with you works, how would you describe your aesthetic as well as the looks we'll be seeing at the 2013 Gino Velardi Fashion Show?Well, usually I’m known for my cocktail dresses and evening gowns, high fashion stuff. But this particular show I wanted to start with more casual, ready-to-wear stuff; separate pieces, which I really don’t do a lot of. Back in the day I’d always go with a theme but now I just focus on the clothes and selling well-made, tailored clothes.
But one thing I always have to have is sexiness. I want women to feel sexy. And if they feel sexy already, they could feel sexier. Nothing trashy, though. I always design with my sister, mother, and grandmother in mind. They could all wear something of mine.
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| Rockstar Aaron |
What’s the music that's inspiring you these days?
Oh, I’m kind of old school. I like Donna Summer. Or a new group would be Hercules and Love Affair. Just whatever puts me into the mood. Different songs inspire different parts of the show. I also have a lot of musician and DJ friends and they also inspire me.
Speaking of DJs, Rockstar Aaron is doing the music right? He's great!
Yeah! He’s a great guy and an amazing DJ. He’s gonna get the place rocking, I’m sure!
And how are you feeling, health wise?
I'm feeling good and trying to always focus on the positive and keep busy focusing on working and shows and whatever is coming up next!
Over the last five or so years Denver’s fashion scene seems to really have exploded… Yes! When I started nobody was doing anything. But at this point it’s like, wow, there are so many up and coming designers. And not only that but we all have a separate client base and point of view. So much variety. It’s awesome to see it. But it is a hard business. Some come up and do a few shows and you never hear from them again but others really stick it out. I think Denver’s really coming up in the fashion scene. I’m a Denver native so I really try to support it. We all know each other and support each other.
I know Project Runway was recently holding auditions. Is that something you would ever consider or have interest in?
Actually, I’ve done it twice before and each time I made it all the way to the end. Physicals, psychological tests, I had to send in baby pictures. All that. But right at the very, very end they had to discard a couple of people and I was unfortunately one of them. But they’ve been in contact since then.
Interesting! Finally, what's your message for readers of MileHighGayGuy and why should they come out to the show?Support the talent and the scene in Denver. Support the Denver arts and fashion scene. There’s so much to see and do and it’s a hard industry, especially in Denver. So many people think they have to move to New York to make it but I support Denver. Oh, and another wonderful cause to support is Red Ball, I've been a part of Red Ball for the last two years and will be doing it this year as well in December. It's by CAP and it's an awesome event for a wonderful cause!
Click here for tickets to the 2013 Gino Velardi Fashion Show or for more information.
