Military vet Duane Topping uses fashion to help combat PTSD
When you first meet Duane Topping, the last thing that comes to mind is high fashion.
Topping looks like that friendly dude at the biker bar down the street, rather than the guy whos showcasing his designs at fashion shows.
But when you ask him what hes most passionate about, hell tell you with that unapologetic smile -- its fashion.
In order to carry on in anything you do, you have to have that passion, and I love everything about fashion, Topping told 9NEWS.
Hes not only good at designing clothes, hes one of the top designers in Denver right now.
Its funny because people are like, Hes so happy because hes such a success, but Im actually more happy that the models didnt fall down, he laughed.
Topping works out of his studio in Wheat Ridge, which is not only his office, its his escape.
You see, hes not just a tough-looking dude whos got a knack for sewing, hes a Military veteran who served three tours in Iraq.
Topping had to medically retire from the military in 2012 and has struggled with PTSD ever since.
Adjusting for me was tough, he admitted. I would find myself at the bar at 8 a.m., and for me that was late in the day.
Topping found the distraction he needed in fashion. He decided to teach himself how to sew, and hasnt stopped creating since.
It became the only outlet that really allowed me to function, Topping explained.
He's well aware that hes not the typical looking fashion designer, but he doesnt care.
For him, creating designs for women of every shape and size allows him to let go of his past, and put his energy into something beautiful.
If you look closely, he even paints his nails as his own form of feminine artistic expression.
To be in touch with my feminine side doesnt mean that I have some sort of alternate view of the world, but this is the way that I express myself, Topping said. Thats the soft side under the hard core that you see.
The designer is busy finishing his last semester of school, with a double major in creative writing and womens studies.
In his spare time, hes putting the finishing touches on his next project happening on May 20th. Its a fashion shoot on the 16th Street Mall, which he hopes will highlight the unity and diversity of the Denver fashion community. He wants anyone whos interested in being a part of the photo shoot to stop by and see what its all about.
As for the future, he hopes to eventually open up his own boutique.
Until then, Topping wants to inspire other military veterans to find their true passion.
For vets like myself, they are always corralled into sort of specific things for PTSD, and I think the key to it is to do something that you love, Topping said.
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When you first meet Duane Topping, the last thing that comes to mind is high fashion.
Topping looks like that friendly dude at the biker bar down the street, rather than the guy whos showcasing his designs at fashion shows.
But when you ask him what hes most passionate about, hell tell you with that unapologetic smile -- its fashion.
In order to carry on in anything you do, you have to have that passion, and I love everything about fashion, Topping told 9NEWS.
Hes not only good at designing clothes, hes one of the top designers in Denver right now.
Its funny because people are like, Hes so happy because hes such a success, but Im actually more happy that the models didnt fall down, he laughed.
Topping works out of his studio in Wheat Ridge, which is not only his office, its his escape.
You see, hes not just a tough-looking dude whos got a knack for sewing, hes a Military veteran who served three tours in Iraq.
Topping had to medically retire from the military in 2012 and has struggled with PTSD ever since.
Adjusting for me was tough, he admitted. I would find myself at the bar at 8 a.m., and for me that was late in the day.
Topping found the distraction he needed in fashion. He decided to teach himself how to sew, and hasnt stopped creating since.
It became the only outlet that really allowed me to function, Topping explained.
He's well aware that hes not the typical looking fashion designer, but he doesnt care.
For him, creating designs for women of every shape and size allows him to let go of his past, and put his energy into something beautiful.
If you look closely, he even paints his nails as his own form of feminine artistic expression.
To be in touch with my feminine side doesnt mean that I have some sort of alternate view of the world, but this is the way that I express myself, Topping said. Thats the soft side under the hard core that you see.
The designer is busy finishing his last semester of school, with a double major in creative writing and womens studies.
In his spare time, hes putting the finishing touches on his next project happening on May 20th. Its a fashion shoot on the 16th Street Mall, which he hopes will highlight the unity and diversity of the Denver fashion community. He wants anyone whos interested in being a part of the photo shoot to stop by and see what its all about.
As for the future, he hopes to eventually open up his own boutique.
Until then, Topping wants to inspire other military veterans to find their true passion.
For vets like myself, they are always corralled into sort of specific things for PTSD, and I think the key to it is to do something that you love, Topping said.
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