Sari Tuschman/Courtesy photo
Aspen is often about big and grand, and this upcoming week is no exception (We will get to that in one minute). But sometimes, it’s also about something small, thoughtful, and local.
In this week’s column, I want to highlight one of those brands: Déjà Nu. The brainchild of longtime Aspenite Killeen Brettmann, Déjà Nu brings new life to vintage scarves from the likes of Hermes, Gucci, and Chanel or Italian cotton from Etro. Brettmann’s pieces use silks and cotton as lining and accents for cashmere vests and denim jackets, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that uplevel mountain style.
I ran into Killeen over the holidays, and she was in a monochromatic, light gray outfit, sporting one of her beautiful designs. Her gray vest was lined with an Hermes scarf, and she paired it with a cool, wool jogger. I was obsessed. It was casual and sophisticated in one neutral package. She and I got to talking about her new venture, and she told me all about her brave decision to start a small, local company focusing on pre-loved fabrics and true craftsmanship (by Coloradans, no less). The result of her hard work is beautiful vests and vintage Levi’s denim jackets that fuse luxury with conscious consumption. They’re at once wearable and incredibly special. Check out this special local business for yourself at Nuages (the vests), Elliott Yeary Gallery (the denim jackets), or online at dejanuaspen.com.
From a little brand with a big heart to a giant company with a big plan: Next week, we have the much-discussed, much-buzzed-about Moncler fashion show taking place on Jan. 31. As WWD first reported, the Italian fashion house — known for out-of-this-world technical-wear-meets-high fashion creations — is bringing the spectacle it staged last year in Courchevel, France, to Aspen with Moncler Grenoble’s first-ever US ski-destination show. The Fall/Winter 2026 collection will strut its way down the snow at a not-yet-disclosed location that somehow everyone in town already seems to know.
The Snow Gods clearly didn’t get the memo about this giant fashion moment coming to town, but if we know anything about Moncler, it’s that they know how to be epic, regardless of the circumstance. (Last year, it snowed during the show in France. Maybe this could be good luck?) Much has been whispered and discussed among locals about this juggernaut of an event, but most of the details have remained hush-hush. What we do know is that an immersive outdoor experience in the mountains is planned rather than a plain, old, run-of-the-mill catwalk. We can’t wait to see what fashion magic is created in our mountains and who comes to town to see it first-hand. More on that next time.
Ah, the small and beautiful and the grandiose and amazing. Isn’t that what Aspen is all about? Luxury and natural beauty all mix together to make this the coolest mountain town in the world? Ok, I’m biased, but it’s also true. In my humble opinion, anyway. Until next time.
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