Contestant #1: Armando Thomas Guerra

Shawn Reinoehl In preparation for the March 28 kick off of the Tamarac Square Fashion Project, The Cat's Pajamas got in touch with each of the finalists and asked them a series of questions about themselves, their views on fashion and random other must-knows (red chili or green chile; Ritter...

By Amy Haimerl

March 19, 2007

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Shawn Reinoehl

In preparation for the March 28 kick off of the Tamarac Square Fashion Project, The Cat's Pajamas got in touch with each of the finalists and asked them a series of questions about themselves, their views on fashion and random other must-knows (red chili or green chile; Ritter or Hickenlooper!). Cat will post one a day until for the next twelve days. Here's the first victim...

Name: Armando Thomas Guerra

Company name: Love Mondo Trasho

Years designing: 9

Bio: Armando was born in Denver, but moved to New York City in 1999 after winning the Auraze portfolio contest in 1999. He spent three and a half years there as head designer for the growing juiniorwear company. In a whirlwind of patternmakers, sample rooms, trade shows, and opening major accounts with national and international buyers, he got his education on the job, right off 7th Avenue. When he returned to native ground the change of pace was invigorating and inspired him to launch his private collection, Love Mondo Trasho, in 2002.

Denver celebrity you'd most like to design for? Lani Garrett

Shawn Reinoehl

What inspires you? (No fair saying everything; be specific.) Color, texture. Music, friends.

Favorite Denver eatery? Sushi Sasa

Favorite local boutique? American Vogue

Favorite fabric? Rayon, stretch knit

Favorite way to finish seams? The correct way?

Prints or solids? Solids, definitely.

Dogs or cats? Can I say monkey?

Shawn Reinoehl

Kate Moss or Linda Evangelista? Kate because she reminds me of one of my beautiful friends, but Linda is pretty fierce, too. I heard she would sleep in her make-up before a shoot to have the perfect smokey eye?!

Favorite guilty pleasure? Pete's Kitchen pork chop breakfast and tomato juice at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Last book you read? I just look at the pictures.

Red chili or green chile? Love red chili, but only if it is homemade by my mom.

New York or L.A.? NEW YORK

Chloe Dao or Jeffrey Sebelia? Jeffery

Loose or tailored? A good mix of both.

Jacqueline Kennedy or Jackie Brown? Jackie, for sure. She's got more FLAVA.

Town or country? Town

Silk charmeuse or silk shantung? Charmeuse

Couture or ready-to-wear? COUTURE

Curvy or androgynous? Androgynous

Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan? Redheads are sexy, Linds.

Michael Kors or Zac Posen? Zac

Jeans or slacks? Depends on the occasion, but jeans mostly.

Bill Ritter or John Hickenlooper? HUH?

Escalade or Prius? Remember the Subaru BRAT? In green.

Vogue or W? V, love the format.

Favorite current couture designer? Pass

Favorite past couture designer? Pass

Sleek or volume? A good mix of both

Form or function? A good mix of both

Favorite place to travel for inspiration? Thrift store

Favorite place to travel for fabric? Between 36th and 39th streets in the Garment District, NYC.

Polkadots or camouflage? Polkadots

Pretty or edgy? If you can make edgy still look pretty you've got something to show

Heidi Klum or Tim Gunn? Tim, he seems a little bit more educated.

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