It’s tradition for a fashion designer to take a congratulatory lap on the runway after models have shown his collection. The applause and accolades reward months spent designing, sewing, fitting and finishing clothes.
The 500-plus people attending Gino Velardi’s recent show on the club level at Invesco Field at Mile High clapped for Velardi’s retro-inspired dresses, curve-hugging gowns and waist-nipping swing coats.
And for his survival skills.
For Velardi, the walk had special meaning because not only has he spent close to two years creating the 100 looks shown, he did so after recovering from a stroke he suffered three years ago at age 34.
In an interview after the show, Velardi said he was working in his apartment near Rose Hospital one afternoon when “my arm flopped off the table. I physically couldn’t move it. I could see what was happening, but I couldn’t do anything about it.” His left leg also was paralyzed. Rather than call 911, he walked across the street to the emergency room at Rose, dragging his leg. “I was in shock, but I checked myself in,” he said.
Velardi spent the next year and a half trying to regain his health. He had surgery to repair a hole in his heart and spent a lot of time fighting off depression.
“I thought I was never going to be able to sew again. It was very emotional,” he said. “But there was a part of me that wouldn’t give up. Fashion is what I have to do.”
Bit by bit, the self-taught designer regained his skills with fabric, design and tailoring. “I focused on hand sewing, trims, beadwork — things that I didn’t used to make time for — pushing to get my mobility back.” he said. “I still have problems with my left hand, but I work to get the details as perfect as possible.”
The collection he showed off Friday was true to the feminine, retro-glam aesthetic he has been promoting since he started designing 10 years ago. Velardi creates faux-fur trimmed suits, cheeky cocktail dresses and charmeuse gowns for a wide-ranging clientele. Lately, while also preparing for the show, he’s made dresses for his 3-year-old niece and a coat for his 80-year-old grandmother. In the middle is a wide assortment of women who want custom-made looks that start at about $200 for a simple dress and go up, depending on the fabric and workmanship involved.
Velardi’s recent show, a benefit for Dress for Success, was true to his love of “old Hollywood glamour.” Entertainment before the show was provided by three burlesque artists from Lannie Clocktower Cabaret who wore skimpy, sparkly outfits, also designed by Velardi.
The fashion models wore Veronica Lake waves in their hair, designed by Charlie Price of Click Salon, and makeup that included red lips and smoky eyes.
“With this show, I wanted to show a maturity in design and presentation,” Velardi said. “It was a comeback and I wanted to show what I can do.”
Velardi hopes to have some ready-to-wear looks to sell in a local store by next spring but until then is happy to keep sewing custom looks. He says he likes meeting with clients, discovering their likes and dislikes, going fabric shopping, sewing and fitting looks to each woman. “It gives them a couture feeling,” he said, “which we both enjoy.”
Suzanne S. Brown: 303-954-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com
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