3000 E Colfax Avenue
On a stretch of Colfax where creativity has always found a home, Preston & James has become much more than a clothing boutique.
Founded by fashion designer and artist Evette, the shop brings together sustainable fashion, curated vintage clothing, local artwork, live music and community events under one roof. The result is a space that feels different each time you walk through the door. What began as Evette’s own clothing brand has grown into one of Denver’s most distinctive creative spaces, built around the belief that fashion should be personal, expressive and responsible.
Before opening Preston & James, Evette worked in corporate fashion, where she developed relationships with major buyers and manufacturers, attended fashion shows and gained firsthand experience in the wholesale industry. Despite those opportunities, she realized that corporate fashion did not fully align with her values.
Instead, she decided to create something entirely her own.
Her interest in sustainability began long before it became a major trend in fashion. Growing up as one of nine sisters carrying the Preston family name, Evette spent years thrifting vintage clothing and developing an appreciation for pieces with character and history.
Her mother, a talented seamstress and artist, encouraged creativity from an early age. That influence continues to shape Preston & James today, where many garments are handmade, repurposed or created using vintage pieces.
The shop’s philosophy is simple. Clothing should help people express who they are.
“When you only live once, why be boring while you’re here?” is a mindset that runs throughout the brand. Each piece is intended to help the person wearing it make a statement without having to say a word.
Before moving to Denver, Evette hosted successful Saturday pop-ups in Long Beach, California, where the city’s eclectic art community embraced her approach to fashion.
When she began searching for a permanent storefront in Denver, several people advised her to stay away from Colfax. Evette said she could not understand why.
She saw the corridor differently. To her, Colfax was full of life, creativity and opportunity. Its independent businesses, diverse communities and distinctive energy made it the ideal location for Preston & James.
Evette officially opened the Colfax storefront in April 2022 and quickly found a community of shoppers who valued local artists, sustainability and individuality. Her connection to the corridor has only grown since then. She believes Colfax remains one of Denver’s most important cultural streets and sees significant opportunity in its future.
Rather than viewing the corridor only through its challenges, Evette sees the people, businesses and creative energy that continue to make it special.
Today, Preston & James operates as both a retail destination and a neighborhood gathering place.
Visitors can shop handmade clothing, curated vintage pieces and artwork from local creatives, but the experience extends far beyond what is displayed on the racks.
Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the shop hosts pop-up markets featuring handmade goods, sustainable brands, local vendors and live music. Different musicians, makers and artists participate each week, giving every market its own identity.
The store also hosts Styles & Sounds on the third Friday of each month. The event has brought together local artists, musicians and community members for nearly three years.
Part art exhibition, part live performance and part neighborhood gathering, Styles & Sounds gives featured artists an opportunity to meet visitors and present their work in an approachable setting.
For Evette, that accessibility is important.
She believes art should not feel exclusive or intimidating. Whether it is a painting, a handmade jacket, a live performance or a carefully selected vintage piece, creativity can take many forms and should be available to everyone.
That philosophy extends into the shop’s lounge, which hosts movie nights, twice-monthly game nights, parties and other community gatherings. The events are intended to create opportunities for people to connect in person and build relationships beyond social media.
Every visit to Preston & James offers something new.
The experience may change depending on which musicians are performing, which artists are exhibiting, what vintage pieces have arrived or which local vendors are hosting a pop-up.
Rather than creating a conventional retail environment, Evette has built a space where fashion, art, music and community naturally blend together.
In a retail landscape increasingly shaped by fast fashion and mass production, Preston & James offers an alternative centered on craftsmanship, sustainability and personal expression.
The shop is also well positioned for a weekend visit. It is a great place to stop by after the City Park Farmers Market, before heading to City Park Jazz or anytime in between.
On Colfax, Preston & James is not simply a clothing store. It is a platform for local artists, a gathering place for the community and a reminder that personal style can tell a story.