Denver Fashion Week sometimes feels like the black sheep of the Fashion Week world. The “Big Four” cities (New York, London, Milan, and Paris) might set the rules of fashion, but Denver’s fashion leaders have never really been interested in following those types of rules in the first place.
And despite how tiring it can be to explain that, yes, Denver does have a fashion scene, and it’s pretty cool actually, Denver Fashion Week isn’t interested in fitting the mold — and honestly, that’s the whole point.
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Named by Forbes Magazine as “a trusted alternative to New York as a platform for emerging talent,” Denver Fashion Week DFW prides itself on being experimental, playful and against-the-grain – while maintaining high-level professionalism. It has always been a safe space for experimentation, for celebrating fashion (and its wearers) that don’t quite fit into the more traditional fashion scene.
Denver’s scene is a colorful, avant-garde celebration of individuality, and with individuals like Megan Urmann and Darrel DeWitt behind the scenes, it will stay that way.
As the Heads of Make-Up and Hair for Denver Fashion Week, Urmann and DeWitt play a key role in making backstage feel safe, ethical, and informed, not just about runway trends, but about how to show up with respect in an industry that doesn’t always prioritize it.
We’ve Come This Far, So Let’s Keep Going
In 2011, America’s Next Top Model was still pop culture gospel. Gwen Stefani was facing mainstream heat for letting her sons paint their nails. American Apparel was tangled in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit for sexual misconduct after plastering the world in NSFW ads for years.
The world was different. The fashion industry was still shackled to antiquated beliefs and toxic beauty standards.
That’s also when Denver Fashion Week was born — and when Darrel DeWitt joined the team.
Since then, a lot has changed in mainstream fashion culture, and DeWitt has seen it all from behind the salon chair. Now Head of Hair more than a decade later, DeWitt has witnessed DFW become known as a space that actively resists the worst tendencies of the fashion world.
“We were one of the first fashion weeks to get noticed for having a model with Down syndrome, for working with more mature models, highlighting diversity as far as non-traditional height or weight,” DeWitt shared. “We’ve always tried to pay attention to having more of a balance, and part of it’s due to the fact that we’re welcoming and accepting of everyone behind the scenes.”
That behind-the-scenes ethos isn’t just good PR: it’s personal. “I was able to do a lot of different types of textured hair,” DeWitt added. “That was part of why we were able to get noticed for having more diverse models — because the models knew they could come to me to get their hair done.”
Backstage, DeWitt is joined by Megan Urmann, Head of Make-Up and his creative counterpart. While she’s newer to the team (though, to be fair, most people are when compared to DeWitt), Urmann is equally foundational to the backstage culture of safety, respect and joyful collaboration.
Each season, DeWitt and Urmann are intentional in building hair and make-up teams that can meet every model where they are — no matter their hair texture, skin tone, or personal boundaries around their bodies. It’s not just about getting the look right; it’s about making people feel seen.
Plus, this commitment to safety is more than just a buzzword for Urmann and DeWitt. Instead, it’s the groundwork for a truly collaborative and creative environment. When everyone feels respected and safe, the creative energy flows more freely.
“The diversity also lends itself to so much more creativity,” Urmann said. “It’s not necessarily in a box the way other places might be. So we get to try really crazy weird, maybe more avant-garde, experimental things — which is exciting. And it also feels more collaborative than other fashion weeks.”
For DeWittand Urmann, creating this safe space isn’t just about making emerging talent feel welcome: it’s about fostering an environment that appeals to designers and creatives of all levels. By prioritizing inclusivity, they’ve created a space where everyone can bring their best ideas forward, whether that’s a bigger name or a new designer.
“I think there’s room for all of us to do something really cool together,” Urmann shared. “There are really talented people here, so I love that we’re a platform for emerging talent but also we can hold our own for big designers who want to travel and show here, too. It’s very inclusive in that way.”
Creativity Requires Safety Backstage
When it comes to creating a safe and inclusive backstage environment at Denver Fashion Week, Darrel DeWitt and Megan Urmann know that making sure everyone feels seen is a constantly evolving process.
In Urmann’s eyes, clear communication plays a major role in cultivating this environment: “We’ve heard from a lot of people that it feels safer, it feels better, it feels more well-managed, fun or relaxed. I think a lot of it honestly has to do with communication. I’m befriending a lot of these people who come in and help us on the team, and that helps make room for all of us to work collaboratively.”
DeWitt shares a similar sentiment about creating a welcoming atmosphere, particularly when it comes to caring for the diverse models backstage.
“I think even visually walking into a room that looks very diverse gives you a whole different first impression than if you walk into a room that makes you feel like you stand out from the crowd,” DeWittshared. “That’s part of what we’ve been trying to override, and that’s sort of our brand. We’re the weirdos, and if we feel like we fit in, then everyone can feel welcome.”
By embracing this “weirdo” mentality, DeWitt and Urmann aim to dismantle the exclusivity often found in the fashion world, ensuring that backstage isn’t just diverse but authentically inclusive. This mindset sets the foundation for a more comfortable and supportive space for all models and participants.
Doing The Work One Conversation At A Time
But, as they both point out, the journey is far from over.
DeWitt and Urmann recognize that fostering a truly welcoming environment is an ongoing process, one that demands constant reflection and action. For them, it starts by extending the clear and consistent communication they’ve prioritized backstage, even if that means fumbling through uncomfortable conversations.
In their view, inclusivity must begin with rethinking foundational production practices like casting and auditions. While these steps are critical to the success of any fashion show, DeWitt and Urmann believe they should be constantly reimagined to foster more informed, respectful interactions.
“In the audition, designers have an expectation of what they want to cast, and if you don’t fall into that group, then they let you know that you’ve now fallen through the cracks,” DeWitt explained. “Designers are always going to have specific ideas or sample sizes, but the way we communicate these things shouldn’t make someone feel othered.”
That kind of reimagination, however, can’t happen in a vacuum. DeWitt and Urmann envision a future for Denver Fashion Week that’s rooted in collaboration both on and off the runway, one that starts with building comfort around discomfort.
“We’ve had to ask some questions that leaned a little bit uncomfortable on both sides,” DeWitt said. “But we had to make sure, like, what level of comfort are you with how you present yourself, what you’re wearing, how much skin is exposed?”
For them, direct but thoughtful conversations are necessary for creating a safer, more respectful environment. “I’d rather have you ask me a question that made me feel a little bit uncomfortable than to just judge me and decide for me,” DeWitt added.
Ultimately, their vision for Denver Fashion Week is a continued commitment to the type of inclusion that doesn’t just rely on tokenism or compartmentalized categories, but from real experiences and individual voices.
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“There needs to be a well-rounded conversation,” said Urmann. “The fashion industry is so queer—how do we make that translate into the clothing that’s on the runway? How do we make it more collaborative in that sense? It starts by bringing that DIY mentality to casting and backstage.”
These reflections are part of an ongoing dialogue about improving not only the casting process, but the broader backstage culture at DFW. While there are already a range of voices on the production team, DeWitt and Urmann stress that continued education and constant evolution are essential for real growth.
As Urmann put it: “Cultivating that safe culture backstage is step number one, but there are still things that need to be held and supported. All of us have to be able to put ourselves out there and then fumble through the uncomfortable conversations.”
Everyone’s Welcome At Denver Fashion Week
When it comes down to it, Denver Fashion Week has never been about fitting in — and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. In an industry often driven by exclusivity and perfection, DFW stands out as a platform that champions authenticity, experimentation and the kind of real inclusivity that happens behind the scenes.
Thanks to leaders like Darrel DeWitt and Megan Urmann, the show isn’t just about what happens on the runway: it’s about how people feel before they ever step onto it.
As they continue to challenge outdated norms and spark necessary conversations, DeWitt and Urmann prove that the future of fashion doesn’t have to look like the past. It can look like Denver: weird, welcoming and wonderfully its own.
Denver Fashion Week Spring 2025 takes place May 10-18, 2025 at The Brighton at 3403 Brighton Boulevard Denver, CO 80216. Tickets can be purchased here.
