With just three weeks remaining, Colorado Springs Fashion Week has been unexpectedly canceled, organizers announced. This year’s event, which was slated for June 24-29, aimed to celebrate fashion, art, and music, following its successful debut last year.
Despite receiving official recognition from the Colorado Springs City Council in October, the event faced several challenges that led to its cancellation, explained Jaime Taylor, the majority owner and producer of Colorado Springs Fashion Week.
Unforeseen Challenges and Opposition
“We’ve encountered various unforeseen hurdles, including difficulties in garnering community support and investment,” Taylor said. “Starting new initiatives in new spaces often comes with growing pains.”
Taylor attributed part of the opposition to the nature of her business. “As a queer-friendly, minority-owned business, we’ve faced resistance from those who don’t share our values of inclusivity and visibility for LGBTQ+ and minority communities,” she stated. Taylor also mentioned receiving threats that posed emotional and physical risks, further complicating the event’s execution.
Given the current social climate, Taylor indicated that the team had been cautious since January, evaluating their comfort level with potential exposure. “Certain legal and protective protocols were not in place to ensure our safety, prompting our decision to cancel,” she added.
Legal and Safety Precautions
Taylor mentioned that the business is pursuing appropriate legal actions at both criminal and civil levels, with an ongoing legal process being documented for a film to be shown at next year’s Fashion Week in Colorado Springs.
The abrupt cancellation has left many supporters feeling blindsided and frustrated. Nayada Moore, owner of Hashtag Co., a thrift boutique that promotes women’s empowerment and local fashion shows, expressed disappointment but also a determination to keep the event’s spirit alive.
Efforts to Salvage the Event
Moore is mobilizing efforts to organize a similar event around the same time as the canceled Fashion Week. “I’m hoping we can still do something,” she said. “Last year’s Fashion Week was so much fun, and I’d like to maintain that momentum.”
Moore, who was one of last year’s designers and was confirmed for this year, emphasized the need for swift, collective action from designers, models, vendors, and the community to make the alternative event possible.
Looking Ahead
The inaugural Colorado Springs Fashion Week in 2023 featured 225 models and attracted over 500 attendees. Events included downtown fashion crawls, vendor booths, and a runway finale near Weidner Field in downtown Colorado Springs.
“This isn’t Los Angeles, New York, Milan, or Paris, but the creativity here is equally valid,” Taylor said. “We need to nurture and sustain the arts locally.”
Despite the cancellation, smaller events will continue throughout the year, and preparations for next year’s Fashion Week are underway. Designers who paid the $250 entry fee will receive refunds, and magazine promotions will proceed as planned.
Colorado Springs is part of the Fashion Weeks of Colorado, an umbrella corporation that also includes Durango, Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen. “We are planning to return in 2025 with the biggest fashion event in the Colorado Springs area,” Taylor assured.
Moore remains hopeful for a successful alternative event this month, emphasizing the empowering nature of fashion. “We give models a platform without discrimination. Fashion is a powerful voice for self-expression and empowerment,” she said.
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