Tran Wills

On the Road

100 Colorado Creatives: Francis Roces

#66: Francis Roces Last week, we introduced Powerhaüs Artist-in-Residence (PAIR) Program fine-art resident Charlie Boots; now meet his fashion-designing counterpart, Francis Roces, a familiar face to those in Denver's fashion scene. He's been plying the needle and thread for nearly thirty years, a ... More >>

Designer toy-shop Plastic Chapel closes its doors, but not its spirit

When Dea Webb and Dave Wendt opened Plastic Chapel eight years ago in a literal hole in the wall in Baker, the designer toy emporium was not only a pioneer business in the neighborhood, but it also owned a retail niche that hadn't been explored much in Denver. They opened the chapel doors to make pu ... More >>

Get ready for the 2013 MasterMinds

Denver is full of aesthetic adventurers and artists who are changing the cultural landscape. They're among Denver's greatest assets, the reason this city attracted more of the desirable 25-to-34-year-old demo than any other area in recent years. They're Colorado's creative capital.

MasterMinds: Calling all creative geniuses!

Nine years ago, Westword introduced the MasterMind awards. Recognizing that the local arts scene needed a little fertilizer to really get going, and growing, we created a program that every year honors five cultural visionaries -- artists and organizations alike, in the very broad areas of multimedi ... More >>

Design the perfect purse for Handbags.com and win a trip to New York

Wish your favorite purse was just a little bigger? Have a bag that is perfect in every way, except there's no place in it to put your keys? Handbags.com and Big Buddha Handbags want to hear from you. Running now through April 18, the companies are asking for video submissions for the "Handbag Design ... More >>

And Then She Saved accessories swap brings Denver frugalistas together

Denver's frugalistas flocked to the Curtis Hotel Saturday night to get rid of old looks and find new favorites at the And Then She Saved accessories swap sponsored by Denver's own Handbags.com. "I really wanted new clothes but I didn't want to pay for new clothes, and I'd heard about swaps so I tho ... More >>

Swapping Style

MasterMind Awards honor our eighth class of artistic entrepreneurs

On Saturday night, Westword introduced the eighth class of MasterMinds -- artistic entrepreneurs who are changing the cultural landscape. Since we started the program, we have given more than $130,000 in grants to artists and arts organizations. The latest winners (click on the link for profiles): M ... More >>

Westword's MasterMind Awards for 2012

Meet the MasterMinds -- and help us pick the next creative class

Recognizing that the local arts scene needed a little fertilizer to really get going, and growing, eight years ago Westword created a program to honor the visionaries -- artists and organizations alike -- who are changing the cultural landscape of metro Denver. And we decided to not just honor th ... More >>

New Beginning Before

And Then She Saved Clothing Swap a swapping success

A happy swapper​The instructions for Saturday night's inaugural And Then She Saved Clothing Swap clearly stated that participants be at Super Ordinary Gallery by 7 p.m. to set up their outfit outposts and be ready to trade beginning at 7:30 p.m. sharp. I caught gallery owner Tran Wills at 7:23 ... More >>

Closet Case

Big Wheels

This weekend: Teller Elementary says, "Hey, let's put on a show!"

A Melissa May design.​Congress Park's Teller Elementary School already marches to a different drum when it comes to fundraising: Instead of hosting yet another carnival or bake sale, Teller has Tellerpalooza, for instance: an annual family-friendly night of live music at the Mercury Cafe. And ... More >>

10 things to do for $10 this weekend, May 13 - 15, 2011

​It's been raining all week, which means everyone out there is probably getting a little antsy to get out into the world after holing up at home and ordering pizza. It also happens to be Friday the 13th, which, for anyone with a superstitious streak, means staying in for the day despite the fa ... More >>

Love at First Sight

Shoppe talk: Tran Wills is out of the business, but still has plenty of plans in store

​Three years ago, designer Tran Wills took a trip to Chicago and was inspired by some of the cute stores she saw there -- so inspired that she decided to open the Shoppe on East Colfax. "The concept was always going to be cupcakes, cereal and coffee, open till two in the morning," she says. ... More >>

Westword welcomes its seventh class of MasterMinds

MasterMinds are changing the artistic landscape of Denver -- including new winners for 2011

Fallene Weels.​Denver is full of aesthetic entrepreneurs, artists and organizations that are changing the landscape of this city. Some of their efforts are so underground, though, that they'd have miles to go just to reach the grassroots.

Frock Out 2010: It's a circus out there!

​Oh, that Chris Loffelmacher. He promised a spectacle and, by god, he delivered. Last night's Frock Out 2010 fashion showdown at the Denver Central Library rocked it hard, baby, interspersing a drop-dead battalion of strutting models with sideshow curiosities both real and imagined on the runw ... More >>

The Circus is in town

Button Up

The Lab Is Dead. Long Live the Lab!

Playing Dress-Up

Today's featured event: It's Fashion Week at Buntport Theater!

​Buntport Versus, the younger cousin of the alternating-third-Tuesday Buntport Theater pastimes Pecha Kucha Night and Teacher's Pet, might just be the most compelling offering in the series. First of all, it shows off the old Buntport improvisational versatility to perfection. And secondly, it ... More >>

Fun, Furry and Edible

A Do-It-Yourself Party

Learn cool crafts on Colfax.

Big Wheels

The bike’s the thing on East Colfax Avenue.

Clothes Call

The Denver Public Library gets fashion-forward with Prototype.

Meet the MasterMind Class of 2009

Meet the MasterMinds: Year 3

Mark MangerJimmy Sellars, master of the G.I. Joe doll, won the 2007 MasterMind for visual arts. By the time we chose our third class of MasterMinds, we were beginning to feel like Ed McMahon. People were catching on to our sneaky fact-checking phone calls in February, wondering if they were about t ... More >>

Ten treasures: A short guide to the underpinnings of Denver ArtsWeek

Art by Carlos Fresquez. I’m a Denver native who snuck away for seven years to live in San Francisco until circumstances called me back. A lot of people thought I was plain out of my mind to come back here, where the culture just doesn’t engulf the city like that famous San Franciscan fog. B ... More >>

The Kitten Walk

The Fabric Lab hosts a trunk show for up-and-comers.

Sweet Taste of Victory

Bitch, Bitch, Bitch

A Block of Fresh Air

Last Weekend: Scenes From The Fabric Lab

Made to Order

2007 Artopia Participants

2007 MasterMind Awards

Solid Gold

The mannequins will be the only ones not moving during False Idols.

Fashion Calendar

Pin the Tale on the Donkey

Off Limits

Let's Get Ready to Rumba

Off Limits

Clothes call

Best Store Anywhere on Colfax Avenue

Fabric Lab

Street Smarts

A clothes encounter with Colfax Avenue.