If it seems like your social calendar is already chock full of holiday parties and dinners and gift exchanges—you’re not alone. But there are two fashion-savvy events you should make room for.

Red Ball

The annual Red Ball kicks off holiday event season with a blockbuster party and do-gooder evening rolled into one. The event promotes awareness of World AIDS Day (December 1) while raising funds for the Colorado AIDS Project. The sure-to-be-wild fashion show will feature pieces from 16 local designers (pictured, right: Jiana Davis in Rachel Hurst last year), plus outrageous hairstyles and makeup from area salons and artists. Amp up your support by bidding on more than 50 silent auction packages, ranging from mini vacations to autographed celebrity memorabilia. Or buy a runway seating ticket ($75) or VIP table of four ($500) for access to the cocktail reception.

Details: December 1, 7 p.m., Exdo Events Center; tickets start at $50 ($30 for attendees age 30 and under). Must be 21+ to attend.


Fashion Feast 2013

Style guru to the stars and New York designer Geoffrey Mac is headed to town mid-month for Fashion Feast. Mac—best known for dressing pop music royalty such as Britney Spears, Debbie Harry, and Lady Gaga—will give Denver the first glimpse of Punk Rock Royalty, his latest GMAC collection (available in early 2014; pictured, above). In addition to the fashion show, Sharon Needles, season four winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, will perform a song off her critically acclaimed debut album PG-13. Fashion Feast (full disclosure: the event is being produced by makeup artist Katelyn Simkins, a frequent 5280 contributor) also assists in feeding the hungry, with a portion of ticket sales being donated to Feeding Colorado and Food Bank of the Rockies.

Details: December 12, 9 p.m., Exdo Events Center; tickets start at $20. Must be 18+ to attend.


Amid all this holiday cheer comes news of a store closure. After 10 years of helping women shop for sexy lingerie, Pampered Passions will close its Englewood storefront at the end of December. Although owner Alicia Vargo will continue to sell her vast selection of sexy clothing on the website, her main focus will shift to Pampered Passions Care Wear, which assists in fittings for breast cancer survivors. The good news: Nearly everything in the store is 50 to 80 percent off, including specialty products like sport and mastectomy bras. Tip: Ladies on a strict budget should check out the $25 bra wall, where they can save up to $75 on a designer bra. 9615 E. County Line Rd., 303-346-8450

Heads up: Our holiday coverage has just begun. Check back next week for our web-only fashion gift guide.

—Red Ball photo courtesy of First Class Fashionista

Follow fashion editor Georgia Benjou on Twitter at @gabenjou & Pinterest at/gabenjou.