Community previews local fashions at annual event

Kati O’Hare

Daily Press Writer

MONTROSE — The runway was lit and models were showing off the new styles of local merchants at Friday night’s Fall Fashion Fusion.

The doors opened at 7 p.m. to Turn of the Century and more than 150 people found a seat to see what local independent merchants had to offer this fall season.

Thirty-eight models of all ages walked the runway wearing shoes, jewelry and clothes from 11 merchants.

Carla Gartner from Heirloom for Hospices was there modeling its one-of-a-kind clothing.

“We are honored to be up there with the big guns,” Gartner said.

Returning merchants included Travelin’ Tots, The Cat House, Body Extras, Cimarron Creek, Jeans Westerner, Main Paige, and SheShe Boutique. New this year were Browns Shoes, Fauxture Couture, Heirlooms for Hospice and Road Rage Jeans.

Vanessa Sprang, owner of Traveling Tots, said the show jump starts the holiday shopping season in Montrose and bring awareness to the community.

It lets the community know they don’t have to go to Denver and shows them what Montrose offers, Sprang said.

She said she wanted a show that involved kids. She put together a seven-person committee that brought together a diversity of ideas. Last year she said the committee didn’t have it all “dialed,” but this year it went a “million times smoother.”

The committee started organizing the show right after last year’s show and had model tryouts the first week in September. After the models were chosen, there were two rehearsals.

Committee member, Wendy Corley had formal professional modeling experience and worked with the models on the runway.

She said she wanted the show to have a professional “glamor” look unlike any in Montrose.

Leanen Bouma was at the show and enjoyed the “new area fashion and frolicking fun.” She shops downtown Montrose and enjoys the boutiques and new stores coming in.

“It raises our level and the flavor is unique,” she said.

Contact Kati O’Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com