Tricia Hoke is first and foremost an artist, but hers is an artistry that translates into the folds and drapes of her ingenious clothing designs, which morph into different style configurations with the slightest inside-out turn or flip of fluid fabric. As a dance costumer, she's unparalleled, and the 2011 Westword MasterMind in fashion is also a seasoned businesswoman who now shares her expertise with clients and fellow designers via her company, Pie Apparel. A key organizer with Lisa Ramfjord Elstun in the formation of a Denver Fashion Design Center, where she hopes to move her studio, Hoke has found her niche in the local scene, while remaining one of that scene's greatest backers.
How does she do it? Let Tricia Hoke's 100CC questionnaire shed some light.
See also: 100 Colorado Creatives: Jose Mercado
If you could collaborate with anyone in history, who would it be, and why?Marcel Duchamp. The Dada "ready mades" have always been very inspiring to me. Since I was young, I respected the fact that "art" and "process" could be challenged. You cannot say it's not art...it totally is art. It just also happens to be a urinal, too (bike tire, etc.).
I also really like Masion Martin Margiella and would love to work in Paris with his team -- ripping up paintings and dressing people in hoods and squares. I should have been born in Antwerp.
Who in the world is interesting to you right now, and why?
A friend just introduced me to the Das Triadische ballet. Amazing. Otherwise, I have been spending a majority of my time with independent designers and learning to navigate the domestic industry that is rebuilding.
What's one art trend you want to see die this year?
Hmm...asshole-ishness and elitism. But that's every year.
Continue reading for more from Tricia Hoke. What's your day job?My day job is doing apparel design and development work for clients. I work with independent designers and with established companies, consulting on every part of the process from design to production, by way of my company, Pie Apparel.
I have helped many designers in town with a variety of services, including Stephanie O and Mondo Guerra. Both are very talented, and you should buy their stuff and support local! Look at Stephanie's amazing collection that she showed at the Clyfford Still museum this summer. And Mondo is doing his own cut-and-sew, like this amazing engineered stripe dress, right here in Colorado!
A mystery patron offers you unlimited funds for life. What will you do with it?
Wahoo! I would run them out of money! In order: Set up my business to run without me (read, hire a staff!). Build out-of-country facilities that help to preserve hand techniques from around the world and bring them to the design world via Pie Apparel. Continue to work on my own collection. Go to Fashion Week. Build an online format for young designers, and start a designer fund. Take a "working" vacation all over the world. Brand my own scotch (who needs perfume, when you have scotch!). That's a good start.
What's the one thing Denver (or Colorado) could do to help the arts?
For fashion, I feel like Denver is getting better and better resources, but we need more -- opportunity is knocking, world.
Continue reading for more from Tricia Hoke. Who is your favorite Colorado Creative?Jared David Paul Anderson. Also -- this sounds weird -- but one of the best exhibits I saw was at the quilt museum in Golden. They had a modernist quilting guild. It was awesome and oh, so dorky of me to mention.
What's on your agenda in the coming year?
Big things. Working to establish Pie Apparel as the go-to source for designers and building out the private label collection, offering some of my past and new designs for sale on my new website (on its way) and plans to move into the new Denver Fashion Design Center when it is ready!
Who do you think will get noticed in the local arts community in 2014?
For fashion, there are some great new players, which is awesome! I would love to see Jack from Ralph's Power Sew get some props. That man and his mustache have been supporting the design community for years and years!
Learn more about Tricia Hoke and Pie Apparel online.
Throughout the year, we'll be shining the spotlight on 100 superstars from Denver's rich creative community. Stay tuned to Show and Tell for more, or visit the 100 Colorado Creatives archive to catch up.
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