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Designer Leading The Way In Fashion In The Mile High City

DENVER (CBS4) - Coloradans don't have to travel to Paris or New York to get the latest fashions. CBS4's Gloria Neal found one woman leading the way right in the Mile High City.

"I love making women feel awesome," said Lisa Ramfjord Eelstun, Fashion Design Center (FDC) CEO. "I didn't want to go to New York or L.A. to get it created (clothing line) because I love Denver."

Ramfjord Eelstun has been designing a long time.

"My tag line for LRE Couture is 'real clothes for real women with real curves,' " she said.

A first-of-its-kind business in Denver, the FDC is a place where designers can create their line, show their line, and sell that line to boutiques as well as to buyers off the street.

"With all of the skills that I have as an educator, an administrator, CEO, it was a natural step for me to just say, 'Do it!' "

Doing it she is. She created everything from the silver and crystal lights to the Couture gowns draped from the mannequins. It took 3 years to just find the building.

"Having this facility allows Denver to be the fashion hub of the Rocky Mountain region," Ramfjord Eelstun said.

"I want people to have the fun that I've had."

Ramfjord Eelstun's emotions came bubbling over because it's taken a lot of blood, sweat and years of tears.

Colorado native and former "Project Runway" competitor Stephanie O. designs at FDC, and she gets it.

"What Lisa has put together is exactly what's needed here in Denver, and I think a lot of designers are responding well to it," she said.

Read more of Gloria Neal's "Leading The Way" stories

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