The Key to Any Iconic Look? How You Feel — SeriesFest and Matthew Morris Salon Honor Molly Rogers

All Photography by Grace Fries & John Roemer / SeriesFest

Fashion transforms a television show or film from a passing trend into a cultural phenomenon. This past Saturday, March 7, SeriesFest: Fashion in Focus proved that the garments we see on screen are the heartbeat of episodic storytelling. Hosted at The Cable Center, the second annual show was a dual celebration: a tribute to the legendary career of Emmy-winning costume designer Molly Rogers and a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Denver’s style cornerstone, Matthew Morris Salon and Skincare. 

Not only did the event celebrate major legends in the fashion and film industries, it also supported those emerging in these disciplines. All proceeds benefited SeriesFest, the Denver-based nonprofit dedicated to championing new artists, talent and fresh voices in the television industry. Proceeds from the show will support the organization’s mission ahead of its International Television Festival (Season 12), which returns to Denver from May 6-10. 

Fashion in Focus began long before the first model hit the runway. Guests weren’t just stepping into The Cable Center, but into a New York-inspired immersive experience. The evening opened with a cocktail hour on the second floor, where guests mingled over elevated bites that mimicked the chic, urban energy of the night before making their way to the first-floor runway. Some of the savory delights included deviled eggs topped with balsamic pearls and waffle cones filled with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Of course, the event wouldn’t have been complete without a “Sex and the City” Cosmo and a featured cocktail, “Devil in a New Dress,” to set the tone of the storytelling to come. 

Matthew Morris and Marvin Gutierrez, co-owners of Matthew Morris Salon and Skincare, kicked off the show by sharing what two decades of influence have meant to them. In an industry where most salons close their doors within three years, their 20-year run is a testament to their deep roots in the Denver community. In a touching tribute video, the founders and stylists defined beauty as “the small moments where you feel secure and confident.” They spoke candidly about the importance of leaving ego at the door and treating the salon chair as a place for genuine connection—and even a little therapy. 

The pinnacle of the night was the presentation of an award for “Excellence in Costume Design” to Molly Rogers, the visionary behind the iconic wardrobes of “Sex and the City,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Ugly Betty”and more.In a spirited Q&A, Rogers gave us an inside look to her career. 

“Women are a tribe of witches,” Rogers told the crowd, urging them to rule the planet with their “smarts and knowledge” because “we are the package as long as we have good gays around us.”

Rogers shared that her career started when she walked into Patricia Field’s store on 8th Street in New York City in 1984 and asked for her first job. She was hired on the spot. This move eventually led her to “Sex and the City.” When asked what shifted the show’s wardrobe from just another costume to a cultural phenomenon, she responded that it happened in Season 3, when high-end brands finally stopped saying no to her requests. She also credited much of Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic status to Sarah Jessica Parker’s sheer confidence, stating that SJP doesn’t just walk; she “floats.”

Rogers pulled back the curtain on the technical and emotional labor that comes with the job, describing how distressing garments through sanding or washing clothes with a bag of rocks allows actors to step into a life already lived. While she admitted to the occasional contentiousness of directors, Rogers finds “divine fun” in the collaborative atmosphere of the fitting room, where she prioritizes listening to the actors who ultimately have to face the camera. 

Her stories from “The Devil Wears Prada” were particularly vivid; she recalled being “triggered” by Meryl Streep’s method acting. Rogers shared a moment on set with the Fashion in Focus audience, where Streep, fully in character, gave her a look of pure disdain while Rogers tried to adjust a necklace. She also touched on the films’ upcoming sequel, sharing that the trailers haven’t even begun to reveal the full scope of the new film; “You may think you have seen a lot from trailers, but you haven’t,” Roger says. “It was a page-turner like a dirty romance novel.”

When asked if she could raid any character’s closet, Roger’s pointed to Leslie Bibb’s “bitchafied” (her words) wardrobe in “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” suggesting that a blend of that edge with Carrie’s love of fashion would be the ultimate aesthetic. 

The finale was a fast-paced and high-energy runway show featuring over 40 models from Wilhemina, many of whom were making their professional debut. The models ranged from a 10-year-old to a couple in their late 60s, proving that anyone can strut with confidence like SJP. 

Styled by Amber Fries with curated pieces from the designer boutique Garbarini, the show broke the “fourth wall” by having models interact around cocktail tables situated right in the middle of the runway. The collection tapped into the late-90s and Y2K aesthetic with a plethora of textures and patterns, featuring fur coats, silk headscarves, full floral skirts, plenty of plaid and sharp but chic business wear. These were complemented by signature Matthew Morris blowouts and vintage-inspired bobs accompanied by pearls and clutches. 

The show incorporated a touch of theatrical flair: one model intentionally dragged her coat across the floor and dropped it before a male model behind her picked it up, perfectly capturing the “bitchafied” glamour Rogers celebrated earlier in the night. 

As the night came to a close at the Cable Center, the evening left a lasting impression that style is far more than the fabric on our backs—it is the visual language of our shared history. Between the sharp wit of Molly Rogers and the twenty-year legacy of Matthew Morris, the event served as a vibrant reminder that Denver’s creative pulse is stronger than ever. For those in attendance, the night was a celebration of the past two decades and a glamorous invitation to the upcoming SeriesFest Festival this May, proving that whether on the screen or the sidewalk, the right look can truly change the world. 

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