Schakara Arrazola-Tiscareno shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Schakara, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Many people think Southern Colorado Fashion (SCF) is just about putting on fashion shows. What’s often misunderstood is that SCF is really about community building, storytelling, and creating opportunities. The shows are simply the vehicle.
Southern Colorado Fashion isn’t only about clothes on a runway—it’s about giving designers, models, stylists, vendors, and performers a platform to shine and to connect with the community. We’re about inclusivity, representation, and celebrating diversity in fashion and art. Our events bring people together, highlight local talent, and inspire pride in Southern Colorado. That bigger mission sometimes gets overlooked when people just see fashion show.
We’re not just fashion, we’re culture, collaboration, and community.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Schakara, founder of Southern Colorado Fashion. I started SCF because I wanted to create a space where fashion, art, and community come together. What started as small showcases has grown into a movement that highlights local talent and uplifts our region’s creative voice.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds between people often break when there’s a lack of communication, trust, or respect. Misunderstandings, competition, or even ego can create distance. In creative communities especially, when people feel unseen or undervalued, it can damage the connection.
What restores bonds is intentional effort—listening, honesty, forgiveness, and remembering the bigger picture. Shared experiences, vulnerability, and collaboration bring people back together. In the work I do, I’ve seen how art and fashion can be healing forces: when people come together to create, they remember what unites them instead of what divides them.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be: trust the process and trust yourself. Every challenge, every setback, every doubt is shaping you into the person you’re meant to be. You don’t have to have it all figured out at once—just keep moving forward, keep creating, and keep believing that your voice and your vision matter. One day, you’ll see why it all had to unfold the way it did.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the fashion industry tells itself is that beauty and value only exist in narrow standards—whether that’s size, gender, or high-end exclusivity. Another lie is that success has to come from being in a big city or following trends set by gatekeepers. At Southern Colorado Fashion, we’ve challenged those ideas by proving that real creativity, diversity, and community can thrive outside of the so-called ‘fashion capitals.’ We’re showing that fashion is about expression, identity, and connection—not conformity.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. Southern Colorado Fashion was built on the idea that art, style, and community matter whether the crowd is small or the stage is full. I believe the real magic is giving your best because it reflects who you are—not because someone claps for you. Praise fades, but the impact of showing up fully and authentically stays.
For me personally, —it’s about integrity and being my best self. If I know I gave my all, that’s the real reward, regardless of whether anyone else acknowledges it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southerncoloradofashion.com
- Instagram: southerncoloradofashion
Image Credits
Karla Vann, and Sunshine
