Araceli’s Denver Fashion Picks: Urban Jungle

Posted by aracelil on Apr 3, 2009 in Boutiques, Denver Fashion Designers | 1 comment

by Araceli Lerma, Style Correspondent – araceli@dfbeat.com.  Photos by Rianna Brown, Staff Photographer – rianna@dfbeat.com

Urban Jungle is a design studio and boutique located right here in Denver that has actually been around since 1994.  They are a husband-and-wife design studio and storefront team with lots of awards and show appearances in their arsenal, including a 2004 Source Awards win for excellence in hip-hop fashion.  With the storefront operated by his wife, Janet Smoots, Urban Jungle’s Kenneth “Scissorhandz” Smoots designs fashion-forward clothing themed around animal prints and jungle motifs, which we can best describe as a mash-up of native looks from both Africa and the American West…sort of an Afro-western fusion. He is a unique designer who will also custom design any outfit you can envision and bring it to life.  He’s also a regular exhibitor at the Taste of Colorado and Black Arts Festival, so don’t miss your chance to check out his line in person at the shop or at these events.  We are so excited to stumble across this Denver jewel and show you what we found.

Asian print shift dress

Here’s an Asian-inspired satin shift dress in a subdued watercolor ink print. The softness of the dress allows you to relax but look elegant at the same time. The kimono sleeves have a graceful flutter and make you feel ready for the day to do anything. I think it will look great ombined with a leather or fine wool jacket. When choosing accessories don’t over do it, remember the elegance of the dress. Brass filigree or chandelier earrings would be pretty, even without a necklace. This circular jewel and brass coil necklace (also available at Urban Jungle) echoes the curved lines of the dress’ print, and the amber stone matches its warm tones. This simple bone bracelet with henna-stamped designs tops it off. Xiuzhen dress $35, brass-and-wood necklace $25, earrings $7

Linen bolero jacket

I really liked this black and white linen bolero jacket with a stamped African design motif.   I added the leather belt to make it even more out of the ordinary. I picked this necklace with turquoise, mother of pearl and tiger-eye stone to contrast with the monochrome of the clothes. It’s such a great ethinc-inpired, bright-colored piece that can be used with lots of different looks. Jacket$125 (available in other colors), leather tie belt $45, gemstone necklace$ 150

Here’s a great black leather vest for a great night out or for something to push the envelope during the day.  I paired it with a white muscle shirt for a look that says “strong.” I added these circular earrings and necklace made out of mother pearl to feminize the strength of the clothes. But then I upped the toughness again with these adjustable leather bracelets.  Black leather vest, $25.  White leather cuff bracelet, $12.  Circular earrings and necklace set, $50

Black leather vest

Urban Jungle is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  They’re located at 5912 E Colfax, Denver, CO 80220 (click here for map).  Contact them at 303-388-9280. www.urbanjunglefashions.com.