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Alicia models the Brooks LTD Maize Jumpsuit

If one thing can be said for Spring 2020, it’s exuberance.  Perhaps it’s the general feeling of dis-ease in the world; the stress of political instability at home and abroad, climate change… you name it.  But fashion has decided to provide the antidote, and that antidote is FUN.  It’s as if the collective industry is saying, “Let us help you take your mind off of this negativity, and bring some JOY into your wardrobe!”

The Clementine Kimono Jacket in Kantha print cotton

Loving the drape of the Clementine Kimono Jacket cut! It’s a Brooks LTD classic, which can be made to order in any fabric of your choosing.

Among other things, the exuberance that were the Spring 2020 runways translated into wild, brilliant color palettes, and bold, over-the-top prints.  Happiness ebbed from all angles…. primary blues (the Pantone color of the year, in fact), sunny yellows, and a kaleidoscope of floral prints layered one on top of another.  Taking cues from this playful mood – which frankly I tend to gravitate towards anyhow – my Spring 2020 designs likewise utilized a fun-filled color palette.  Favorites include a banana-yellow jumper, a Kantha-print kimono jacket, and a blue-and-white tie dyed dress.  All coming soon to BrooksLTD.net, so stay tuned!

Brooks LTD Maize Jumpsuit with the Everly Short Jacket in Kantha cotton, on model Alicia

Back details of the Brooks LTD Everly Short Jacket

Another variation on the Kantha fabric – a long vest, layered over jumpsuit

Versatility is key! Reversible Brooks LTD Kantha print vest can be worn multiple ways.

Custom Designs by Brooks LTD

Looking to add joy to your wardrobe?  At the Brooks LTD atelier, I design one-of-a-kind, custom couture, and limited edition ready-to-wear garments for special occasions, or just for every day.  Every piece is made to last the wearer a lifetime, balancing a sense of timelessness with current trends.  A thoughtful, well-crafted piece of clothing can be a great investment for your wardrobe, offering tons of “mileage” for years to come.  Let’s chat about how we can transform your wardrobe in simple, easy ways with just a few custom designs – visit the Contact page of my website to get started.

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Putting final touches on my Brooks LTD Spring 2020 jumpsuit look

That’s why when the opportunity arose to collaborate with another noteworthy Denver designer – jeweler Andrea Li – on an editorial shoot with uber-talented photographer Nicole Marcelli, I jumped on it.  Both Andrea and I had the intention to “try on” a new look with our content this season, and so we brought stylist and creative director Vanessa Barcus on board to help come up with a shoot concept and aesthetic that would push both of our typical boundaries just a bit.  We also roped in one of my favorite bag designers, Mel Barcelona, to give some extra flair to the accessories.  Coupled with makeup artist Lillian Marsh and model DanShay Martinez, it worked out to be quite the dream team.  And in case you can’t tell from these behind-the-scenes shots, what fun we had!

Behind the scenes with photographer Nicole Marcelli and model DanShay Martinez, with K Contemporary gallery as the backdrop

Model DanShay strikes a pose in a Brooks LTD jumpsuit at K Contemporary

Though not always visible from the public’s perspective, editorial shoots oftentimes have a storyline running behind them.  This helps to create a cohesive look for the shoot.  For this particular photoshoot, we crafted a backstory about a young heiress who was in love with an artist.  This called for quirky, avant-garde (yet luxe) looks – the types of things a patroness of the arts might wear.  We reached out to K Contemporary gallery for the location, and luckily proprietor Doug Kacena was happy to oblige, letting us shoot with his incredible art as the backdrop.  Andrea’s sculptural jewelry made with tourmaline gemstones played an artful counterpoint to my bold SS20 designs.  Favorites from this Brooks LTD collection included oversized jackets paired with tapered pants for a bit of 80s/90s flair, draped jersey dresses, a wildly layered tulle skirt contrasted with a cashmere sweatshirt, and a cozy jumper.

DanShay wears a layered tulle skirt, contrasted with a casual, slouchy cashmere sweater, as seen through the lens of Nicole. Artwork by Ken Gunn Minn, represented by K Contemporary

DanShay in a structured neoprene vest and slouchy silk pants, poses in front of art by Melissa Furness, represented by K Contemporary

Scroll through to see the end results of this special collaboration!

Clothing by Brooks LTD with jewelry by Andrea Li. Photos by Nicole Marcelli

DanShay stands in front of art by Jonathan Saiz

DanShay wears OOAK Brooks LTD and Andrea Li, with handbag by Mel Barcelona

DanShay in a draped jersey dress in front of art by Nina Tichava.

DanShay huddles in front of art by Mario Zoots.

Custom Designs by Brooks LTD

Truly unique clothing and custom ensembles don’t need to be limited to special occasions.  I love designing one-of-a-kind jackets, jumpers, separates and more that can be worn and enjoyed on a regular basis.  With each piece made to order, every garment fits like a glove and suits your individual needs and taste.  A timeless, well-crafted piece of clothing can be a great investment for your wardrobe, offering tons of “mileage” for years to come.  Let’s chat about how we can transform your wardrobe in simple, easy ways with just a few custom designs – visit the Contact page of my website to get started.

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Image via Style Me Pretty

Engagement season is upon us (hello, holiday proposal!), and that means brides are beginning to think about the wedding dress and bridal accessories.  Custom, alternative wedding dresses – i.e. styles that are not your run-of-the-mill, off-the-rack look that reflect more of your individual personality – have been a mainstay of my atelier for longer than I can count.  (Check out the Brides page of my website to read more about my Brooks LTD custom gowns and see examples from some real brides.)  Some say ‘the beauty is in the details,’ and I’d have to agree – especially when it comes to a bride’s big day.  Adding personal touches to your wedding look can make you feel even more connected to the garments you’re wearing, making them exponentially more meaningful for such an important rite of passage.  One way to add a personal touch (and be sustainable while you’re at it!) is to repurpose a family heirloom, such as a part of a family member’s wedding dress, either by incorporating it into your dress, or even reimagining it as an accessory.  One of my favorite recent examples of this has to be the time I worked with bride Megan and her family to create dresses for both her rehearsal dinner and wedding day.

Consultation with mom and daughters for their custom designs, including a mother of the bride dress, maid of honor dress, and dresses for the rehearsal dinner.  Mom Jina and bride Megan deliberate on fabrics at the Brooks LTD atelier.

Reimagining twin sister Erin’s wedding dress strap for Megan’s bridal headpiece. Sustainable and meaningful!

Megan and her twin sister Erin are, needless to say, very close.  Megan wanted a way to incorporate something of Erin’s into her bridal look, as her “something borrowed.”  So we took the strap from Erin’s own wedding dress, and I transformed it into Megan’s headpiece for her special day.  Their mother Jina was thrilled, as well as the twins.  It was clear to me how proud (and tearful!) this added detail made them feel, after looking at their wedding photos.  What a fun project to be a part of!

Megan and her mother Jina on her wedding day.  Jina wears a custom Brooks LTD dress. Note Megan’s headpiece, which I created using the strap from her twin sister’s wedding gown.

Tears of joy: Twin sister and Maid of Honor Erin gets emotional looking at bride Megan during the wedding. Erin wears custom Brooks LTD.

Megan shows off her special, repurposed headpiece by Brooks LTD.

Custom Wedding Dresses by Brooks LTD

Not all brides are created the same!  I specialize in unique, one-of-a-kind wedding gowns that are tailor made to fit you and your personality.  If you’re getting married and are looking for something bespoke, please visit the Contact page of my website to schedule a consultation.

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Advanced Style’s Ari Seth Cohen outside of his book signing, flanked by myself and Judith from Style Crone, wearing her custom Brooks LTD headpiece

Ari’s blog showcases some incredibly fabulous New York City women, as well as some closer to (our) home – including my dear friend (and Brooks LTD model) Judith Boyd of blog Style Crone.  In addition to his blog, Ari also has written several books.  His latest, “Advanced Love,” is a collection of couples’ portraits “who prove that love is bound by neither the constraints of age or time.”  Judith had the honor of co-hosting Ari for his Denver book signing at local boutique Wild Flowers, along with shop proprietor Jonah Bradley.  Of course the occasion called for pulling out all the stops in creative dressing.  I was thrilled to find that Judith chose to wear her Brooks LTD oversized bow headpiece as a topper to her vintage purple dress.  This was a style that I custom designed with her in mind as my muse – hence it’s official name, “The Judith.”  I find that the more Judith and I work together, and the more our friendship evolves, her unique style consistently inspires me to discover new ways of expressing my craft.

Myself and two friends (both in Brooks LTD!) enjoying ourselves at Ari Seth Cohen’s book signing

Ari and Judith’s discussion that night left me with a newfound appreciation for the art of dressing.  It was a joyful reminder that fashion can have deeper meaning than just being the clothes on your back.  And oh how radiant Judith looked next to Ari in her vintage taffeta dress and Brooks LTD headpiece!  It’s opportunities like these that bring an extra dose of excitement to what I do.

Advanced Style’s Ari Seth Cohen signing his latest book, Advanced Love

Latin Fashion WeekStyle Crone’s Judith Boyd backstage at Latin Fashion Week Colorado modeling her custom Brooks LTD headpiece, The Judith, along with a Brooks LTD artfully decorated jacket and sweater knit dress.

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At the age of 40 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had to have a mastectomy.  I chose not to undergo reconstruction, instead opting to embrace my body’s new natural shape.  After 6 months of strong chemotherapy, the cancer receded and has not returned.  I am happy to say my life has continued on as a healthy, joyful journey since this time.

Breast cancer changed my outlook on life.  It’s made me more aware of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle – like exercising and eating well – as well as giving me a newfound appreciation for day-to-day things, and a desire to embrace life as I age.  It’s amazing how oftentimes (or all the time?) life’s obstacles can bring blessings in disguise.  Along the way I have met some incredible women that share the same feelings.  Luckily most of them are still with us.  Unfortunately I have also lost some loved ones to this disease.

My breast cancer survivor group gathering at the Lotus Network inaugural luncheon, 2017.  

I am honored to be part of a small group of women that have been instrumental in my healing journey.  We gather periodically to discuss our lives and experiences, with conversations about health and medicine at the forefront.  We are supportive of each other’s stories, and through our gatherings learn about the latest medical technology, new procedures, and different ways of approaching selfcare.

Triumphant as survivors on the runway! Sue Miller, Charlie Blosten (also a survivor) and I at the Sue Miller Day of Caring fashion show 2016. Sue wears a custom lace kimono I designed for her.  Photo by Hardy Klahold.

Sue Miller (1934-2017) was my mentor for many years, and was at the center of this group.  She pioneered transparency about breast cancer over 40 years ago by organizing a fashion show of women that were going through breast cancer, or who were on the other side of it.  Her nonprofit organization was called “The Sue Miller Day of Caring,” and continues as a part of the Cancer League of Colorado.  The luncheon and fashion show that Sue started took place in cities across the country, and included an educational experience, with vendors helping the audience discover new, healthy ways of dealing with this disease.  I was lucky to be chosen to dress women for these shows for 5 continuous years – an experience that had a profound effect on me, and which continues to bring happy memories.  I was also honored to receive the Sue Miller Survivor Award in 2014.

A shot from the 2015 Sue Miller Day of Caring runway featuring custom Brooks LTD on breast cancer survivors. Image by Hardy Klahold.

The 2015 Sue Miller Day of Caring runway lineup all wearing Brooks LTD.  Image by Hardy Klahold.

2016 Sue Miller Day of Caring survivor lineup, wearing Brooks LTD.  Image by Hardy Klahold.

2017 Sue Miller Day of Caring lineup.  Survivors wear custom couture Brooks LTD, as photographed by Hardy Klahold.

Behind the scenes of the 2018 Sue Miller Day of Caring runway. Captured by Hardy Klahold.

The 2018 Sue Miller Day of Caring lineup in my latest couture Brooks LTD creations. Photo by Hardy Klahold.

I’ll leave you with one very touching story that I feel compelled to share:  Recently I was chatting with the husband of a fellow breast cancer advocate (who unfortunately didn’t survive).  He told me that his wife was buried in her Brooks dress that I had designed for her to wear in one of the Sue Miller Day of Caring fashion shows, because she loved the experience and loved the dress.  I know this isn’t your normal conversation, but it touched me.  I am proud that I was able to bring positivity to her and to so many other women during what is otherwise such a difficult time.  Art, fashion, and creative expression can have a positive impact on our lives, and that is what drives me forward.

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The DAM’s Florence Müller and fashion editor Georgia Benjou in intimate conversation for their Denver Fashion Week workshop

Seven years ago, Florence was first introduced to Denver as an independent curator from France, bringing the acclaimed Yves Saint Laurent exhibit to the DAM (which was, in fact, the exclusive US venue for this show).  The show was an overwhelming success.  Florence attributed that success to the wide range of people, coming from all walks of life in Denver and the greater Rocky Mountain area, who came to see and learn about fashion.  It was clear that fashion sparked an interest in the public here – an indication that the exhibit was on the right track.  In 2015, Florence was bought on in an official, permanent capacity as the DAM’s Avenir Foundation Curator of Textile Art and Fashion.

The Shock Wave exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. Photo by McKenzie Coyle for 303 Magazine.

Shock Wave was the first exhibit that Florence curated from her new DAM curatorial position – a stunning retrospective of groundbreaking Japanese fashion from the 1980s and 90s.  She explained how she reached out to local retail proprietress Cathy Covell from Lawrence Covell to acquire pieces for the show, as Cathy’s store was one of the first in the country to carry several of the designers featured in the exhibit.  Florence and her team sought to integrate their work within the local community, also calling upon fashion-forward boutique Goldyn to host a private opening reception and fashion show in conjunction with the exhibit.

A favorite look from the Dior show at the Denver Art Museum

Since these first two (frankly out-of-the-ballpark) exhibits, Florence has hardly taken a break.  She’s been hard at work bringing more top-tier programming to the museum, including The Dior show last year.  During the talk, I learned that there are four more exhibits scheduled in the next few years – the first of which is slated for Sept 2020, yet to be announced.  We will all wait anxiously in anticipation!

Denver designer Mona Lucero and I with new fashion friend Kate Nelson, eagerly awaiting Georgia and Florence’s talk for Denver Fashion Week.  Photo courtesy of Kate Nelson.

I had the opportunity to chat one-on-one with Florence after her conversation with Georgia that evening.  Knowing her background working with the likes of Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Celine, I was curious to hear about the quality of designer dresses walking the runway in a show.  As a couture designer, I know that whipping up a dress for a runway show can be very trying, requiring many last minute adjustments, as compared to coming up with a custom piece for a client.  I was curious about her knowledge of what the inside of one of these runway confections looked like.  She had a long explanation that spoke to her expertise: essentially that each situation is different, but for the most part, the insides are not completed like a normal couture gown.  Just as I suspected!  There’s an interesting twist however; For this reason, these runway pieces can actually be much more expensive than a finished garment.  Why, you may ask?  Because it is a ‘true’ original gown.  A collector’s piece if you will.  A work of art in-progress where the creator adds last minute touches before it goes down the runway.  Creative freedom by the designer.  Music to my ears!  

Mona Lucero and I, post talk.  Photo courtesy of Kate Nelson.

Florence also spoke about the 1980s as being a period of designers’ creative freedom, versus the 1990s where big companies began to rule the destiny of major fashion houses.  Of course, in order to succeed, a design house must make money on their products.  However, as Florence stated, designers were less ruled by the owners of the larger holding companies in the 80s – more free to create their art – whereas now creativity is only part of the big picture.  

I could relate to a lot of what she was talking about.  Even though I am a small independent designer, where I am lucky to have creative control over everything, I still need to consider the end result: selling my work.  It’s always a fine line between art and commerce.  This past weekend, I had a related realization while chatting with some CSU students (more on that later), where I said, “I should just try making clothes that I want to wear, as a total experiment to see if they are desirable.”  I’ll be the first to admit I can overthink what I do in order to please the public.  Maybe I’m onto a new direction?  Stay tuned.

Couture by Brooks LTD

Couture fashion is a rare commodity these days.  I’m lucky to have made a career out of it for over 45 years in my beloved City of Denver.  If your next holiday party, wedding or other special occasion calls for standing out in a one-of-a-kind dress, please think of Brooks LTD.  Visit the Contact page of my website and we can schedule a time to sit down and discuss your needs.

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