April 3, 2009

MOUNTAIN MAYHEM: HAUTE COUTURE; May Selby, March 14th, 2009



Aspen Fashion Week celebrated its inaugural run from March 1 – 4 at various venues around town.

Designed to show case and market winter resort, ski and technical outerwear, the destination event was appropriately set in the home and playground of the most stylish consumers. With informal presentations, après showings, on mountain events and late night fashionable soirees, it put a spotlight on the booming skiwear industry, involving many local clothing boutiques.

Spearheaded by Lisa Johnson, Oliver Sharpe, Frances Gregos and Laurence LaVingne, Aspen Fashion Week debuted with a Sunday night kick-off party at The Sky hosted by W magazine, Burberry, and Jaegar Le-Coultre. On Monday evening, the acclaimed documentary, “Valentino: The Last Emperor,” was screened at the Wheeler Opera House. The legendary designer participated in Aspen Fashion Week as a special guest, lending instant credit to the event week simply by association. Valentino’s fashion house is among the world’s most famous haute couture and prêt-a porter clothing empires.

The festivities concluded with an Aspen Peak Runway Finale on Wednesday night at Belly Up, presenting 2009-'10 winter, ski and snowboard collections from Moncler, Fendi, Rossignol, Ed Hardy SNOW, Under Armour, Obermeyer, Isaora, Gabriel Conroy, Kaestle, Osklen, and Circe Snow.