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The dish with … Fallene Wells, fashion designer

By Lesley Kennedy

When Denver designer Fallene Wells was 11, and her sister was 18, she traveled to Brooks College for Interior Design in California to check out the school.

Denver designer Fallene Wells

“They also had fashion design,” Wells says. ”I can still vividly remember looking at all the dress forms and fashion illustrations with amazement. I knew at that moment that’s what I wanted to do. I started sketching collections, my mom taught me to sew and from there I have taught myself new techniques since.”

Wells will be showing off some of those techniques when she shows her Let ‘Em Have It! line at the Forever Darling Three fashion show and Autism Speaks benefit Sept. 10 at Mile High Station ($30, general admission). We checked in with Wells about her designs, inspirations and the importance of this event.

On her designs: I love to design figure-flattering silhouettes, with a lot of detail and a little dash of character. I take pieces from different eras and make them my own.  

On finding inspiration:I find inspiration in all things – art, fabric, textures, eras, interior design, architecture. In this year’s collection, my inspiration was the theme of the show MUK.  

On starting the Forever Darling event: I love the whole idea of planning the theme of the show and incorporating that theme into my collection, the hair, makeup, sponsors and businesses involved. I also thought it would be a great way for me to donate to a charity that I love and support and promote businesses on a larger scale. It was also a way to come up with new collections every year and meet cool people.

On this year’s show: When people come to my show, I want them to feel inspired by all the creativity and leave with the feeling they can achieve anything they want to.  

A design by Fallene Wells.

On benefiting Autismspeaks.org:

When I found out my sisters, twins Chase and Cody, were autistic, I knew my charity this year would have to benefit autism. I looked into several autism charities and found this to be the best organization nationally, since they give back to the community. And they really strive to find a cure, along with help support families. It’s my way of supporting my sisters. I feel like parents that have autistic children should receive an award for all of the hard work, financially and emotionally, they have to go through.  

On finding her designs: I am working to get them manufactured, but until then, call or e-mail me for custom orders or purchase them at the Forever Darling event Sept 10th.  720-201-1897

On supporting local talent: I love to support people that are trying really hard to make it doing what they love — whether that is by fashion, art or small businesses. I also learn from other designers. The more designers and creative people I have in my own community, the more I am inspired, myself. It’s such a small community in Denver, and I really feel it’s important to give back to people. 
 
20 QUESTIONS WITH FALLENE WELLS

1. My go-to outfit:Depends on my mood. If it’s cold: kid sweater from Buffalo Exchange,  jeans, undershirt.  Hot weather: denim dress with flower appliqués that I made.

2. Guilty pleasure:Chocolate Cheesecake from Marzyck Fine Foods, it’s amazing!

3. My theme song would be: 5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale

4. Beauty products I can’t live without: Recoil by AG Mop, styling conditioner, mascara, blush 

5. I get my hair cut by: I’m a hairstylist, so I cut my own hair, or sometimes the other stylist at the salon.

6. Hidden talent:  I’m a video game nerd, especially Ms. Pacman!

7. Must-see TV: Project Runway, I have withdrawls without it.

8. Best advice my mother ever gave me: When she taught me how to sew, she always would say to be patient.

9. I’m now reading: The Roadby Cormac McCarthy

10. My perfect meal:chips and salsa with a Marg!

11. My best vacation: Amsterdam

12. I wish I had more time to: Sleep, relax and vacation

13. I can’t start my day without: orange juice, and kissing my cats — ah, and my husband, too

14. Favorite jeans: Express

15. Must-have accessory: Love my gun earrings by Katie Wells, but I am obsessed with hats, too.

16. Favorite designer:Locally, there are a lot of designers I like. I really love Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier.

17. Best bargain I’ve ever scored:My favorite little kids sweater from Buffalo Exchange was $5, and my Lacoste sweater my husband bought for me from Buffalo Exchange was only $20.

18. Favorite movie:  Dazed and Confused, but if I could have two, I’d add Pulp Fiction

19. Favorite color: Green

20. Signature scent: I go back and forth from DKNY Be Delicious and Maybe Baby by Benefit  

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2. The dish with … Tricia Hoke, fashion designer
3. The dish with … Carol Mier, fashion designer
4. The dish with … Mona Lucero, fashion designer
5. GALLERY: Forever Darling fashion show