Meet Brooks Luby: Fashion Designer, creator of bespoke women’s fashions

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brooks Luby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooks, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
It gives me much joy to create bespoke women’s clothes so that the end result makes the wearer feel good and look good at the same time. I love working with my hands and to drape, sew and hand finish garments has become therapeutic for me. To slow down and enjoy the process has affected my body, mind and soul.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As an independent women’s clothing designer for over 45 years I’ve lived through many iterations of my designs. I always feel like I go full circle, leaving trends behind, coming back to my original viewpoint of slow, methodical fashion. I create striking artisan pieces of spectacular clothing for women so they feel comfortably chic and elegant in their own magical style. I aspire to craft artistic pieces that fit the lifestyle of my clients — active, comfortable, feminine and alluring. Hand stitched detailed work can be an artful appliqué or an atypical insert of a contrasting textural fabric can create even deeper dimensions. I love beautiful fabrics and classic designs with a flair for the unexpected– details on a simple silhouette. From classic, basic shapes to interesting draped ensembles my current work identifies timeless pieces with ageless beauties in mind, as I believe fashion is about style and not age. The impact of the pandemic has challenged my viewpoint of fashion. I am practicing slow fashion which has me appreciating the meditative state that my craft is allowing me to refine and redefine. My brand is finding the use of my hands and mind differently, to drape one of a kind pieces that have a life of their own, no pattern is made, it is all in my trained eye and hands. Knowing that the female form is 3 dimensional and all sides need to be viewed that way I have become confident that while in this meditative state interesting shapes evolve that I can call my own. I am mixing up my knowledge of many years of experience, my craft and my new found ability to mix upcycled textiles with modern sustainable fabrics to create a new voice that needs to be heard in this time of ever- evolving slow fashion. I enjoy working on one piece at a time knowing that the end result will be in someone’s closet who appreciates the craft and the sustainability that my pieces strive for. I find it interesting to see how the classic photos chosen for this interview blend in with the new mashup that I am now creating. Oversized, organic shapes that are comfortable, elegant, interesting, and one size fits most is my goal. It’s an exciting time for me in this world of wonderment as to where the fashion industry is headed. I speak to my own vision and am having more fun doing it than in past collections. It’s been a healthy journey, keeping my brain active and my hands busy. “The human body is the best work of art.” ― Jess C. Scott

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I like to visit local grocery stores to get the flavor of the community, Central Market in Rino, Edgewater Public Market, Denver Milk Market (be sure to shop the stores while there) any farmers markets especially the one at Union Station. While at Union Station check out the floral pop up shop, Merchantile Dining and Provision. Riding my electric bike through various parks is a good overview of the community and their active ways, Sloans Lake, Crown Hill is a favorite, City Park and Washington Park all come to mind. Shopping at small independent stores along the way, 32 and Lowell in the highlands, which also has the best ever fresh fish store, Seafood Landing. Check out the shops across the street from the fish store, independent shop owners have the most interesting products, Rino, Larimer Square and Cherry Creek North for interesting, out of the ordinary goods. Along 29th Street near Sloan’s lake there are various independent shops, I prefer anything handmade locally by fellow artisans. (Nikki Nation) There are a few exceptional craft stores, Thompson Crafts & Desert Gems on Wadsworth, Ornamental Resources on 38 have interesting finds. The city is packed with great restaurants, I love anything ethnic. A few favorites are Hop Alley, Sushi Den, New Saigon, Safta, for elegant dinner dining, Barolo Grill. Museum hopping is another favorite, The Denver Art Museum always has wonderful international shows, alot focusing on fashion. The MCA, The Kirkland, KContemporary Gallery, David Smith Gallery, Museum of Outdoor Arts, Quilt Museum in Golden are a few favorites. The Denver Public Library has interesting architecture, and The Denver History Museum has enlightening shows.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As a 30 year breast cancer survivor (this month!) I celebrate all women, diverse and inclusive. I enjoy dressing many in fashion events and shows. I have a soft spot for helping to make women feel special and unique in their own body, Cancer League of Colorado/The Sue Miller Day of Caring is one of those organizations. I’ve dressed women of all shapes and sizes celebrating their cancer journey through fashion shows of them walking the runway. I’ve curated an exclusive fashion show for selected ageless beauties wearing my designs for the Mayor Of Denver(Mayor Hancock) celebrating diversity and inclusion. Tony Smith is always a spokesperson for such causes. Working with other creatives, mentoring want-to-be young designers, and learning from a new generation of how to work in the virtual world has me currently very active in the Fashion Scene. I love working with talent in the field-photographers, models and HMU as it opens up a continuing educational creative experience.

Website: http://brooksltd.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooksltd/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooksltd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrooksLuby
Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/BrooksDenverFashion/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNaLNMxoMpJGHHVcg28T9FQ

Image Credits
Erin Lassahn Photography, Hardy Klahold Photography, EJ Carr Photography, Sara Kane Photography, Poshtography Professional Photography, Teodora Pogonat Photography.