The Paper Fashion Show took place on April 18th in the Denver Sports Castle. Many people might not have heard about it but the paper fashion show is a high-key event sponsored by The One Club for Creativity Denver that happens each year in a different Denver venue. They explain the show has inspired many avid art viewers since 2004 and has sponsored over 550 paper dresses with designers of all ages and skill levels. All the paper used by the designers is donated by high-end paper mills and coordinated by Kelly Spicers. These designs are shown on a grand runway show and voted on by a panel of judges who decide on category winners. The show is also an all-volunteer organized and run fundraiser, helping to support not only the mission to elevate Colorado art and design to the national level but also the non-profit Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, a local community organization that provides after-school arts programs for urban youth. 

Lutheran High School has participated in this event for 7 years with thirteen teams total under the supervision of art teacher, Mark Hollenbeck. This year the school had three teams from LuHi’s Art Academy participating. The teams included Stella Bertsch, Caley Kenney, and Kyra Crowe with model Rebekah Mansfield. Julia Shargel and Mia Schauer with model A’olena Bonilla. And finally Lily Cotton, Lilley Mayberry, and Emily Chwialkowski with model Lilley Mayberry. They all received this year’s theme, Cabaret, in January and worked hard beginning with creating their designs, choosing their paper which would only include 21 sheets and certain colors, creating prototypes, and finally working during and after school on their final designs. The show is an all-day event for the designers and models as well. On the day of the show, they go to a professional salon in the morning for intricate hair and makeup looks. They then head to the venue for pictures and runway practice before the shows start at 7 pm. The show is always packed full of the local art community who gather to recognize the designs.

If you want to view this year’s dresses you can see them displayed now in the front of the school, you can also see them during the LuHi Art Academy Capstone Art Show that will take place May 18th from 10 am-2:30 pm, or keep a lookout online on the @paperfashionshow Instagram page.