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Next big thing? Rising Star finalists announced

Rising Star category winners.

Most big names in American fashion design may come from New York or Los Angeles zip codes, but members of Denver’s chapter of Fashion Group International think Colorado has its fair share of up-and-coming talent.

Last week, the field was narrowed from 27 to 10 in the group’s biannual Rising Star competition. The winner will be announced at an October runway gala that will raise money for fashion scholarships and educational outreach programs.

Monica Owens, Francis Owens and Scottie Iverson

“We are thrilled with the response to our ‘call for entries’ and quality of applicants,” says Scottie Taylor Iverson, regional director-elect of FGI Denver and chair of the benefit. ”Denver deserves some respect in the fashion world and this could help put us on the map.”

The finalists were named at a kickoff party attended by members of FGI, local designers and honorary chairs Francis and Monica Owens.

“The rest of us are very jealous of you because of your talents,” Francis Owens told the finalists.

The finalists:

Andrea Li

BornFit

Denver Couture

DVLP Clothing

Laman Blu

Sierra Designs

Smooch

Totem Industries

Women With a Cause

Yo San Studio

For more information, visit FGI’s site here.

Poolside on Sunset Drive.

Photos by Joe Mahoney

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