Interview with Clara “Peaks & Threads” Montague: Colorado Springs’ unlikely fashion icon

Clara Montague is a name that sparks both awe and confusion in the fashion world. A Colorado Springs native, she’s had her designs grace the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan, yet she refuses to cater solely to the elite. Clara insists on designing for “real people” with a touch of couture flair, making her a polarizing figure in both high fashion and her hometown. We caught up with Clara at her quirky studio in an old converted firehouse in downtown Colorado Springs.

Interviewer: Clara, your career is fascinating. You’ve made it to the top fashion runways, but you also design for everyday folks. Why?

Clara: Oh, darling, what’s the point of fashion if it doesn’t touch the lives of real people? Sure, I could spend my days draping stick-thin models in $10,000 dresses made of feathers and existential dread. But what about the hiker who wants to look fabulous scaling Pikes Peak? Or the mom who needs a parka that says, “I can conquer a snowstorm and a PTA meeting”? That’s where the magic is!

Interviewer: But some people—on both sides—aren’t happy with your approach. High fashion critics say you’re too “practical,” and locals think your designs are “too fancy.”

Clara: (Laughs) Oh, honey, I’m used to being misunderstood. The Paris crowd clutched their pearls when I sent models down the runway in haute couture fleece ponchos with detachable hydration packs. And here in the Springs, people rolled their eyes at my tactical tuxedo, which had hidden pockets for snacks and a collapsible compass. But I don’t design to make everyone happy—I design to make life interesting.

Interviewer: Tell me about some of your most controversial designs.

Clara: Oh, where to start? There was the “Chic Chaco” hiking sandal—waterproof leather with Swarovski crystal straps. Too rugged for Milan, too sparkly for Manitou Springs. Then there were my high-fashion cargo pants with hand-embroidered wildflowers and gold zippers. The New York critics called them “glorified gardening gear,” but locals complained they couldn’t fit their fishing tackle in the pockets. (Shrugs) I’m just trying to bridge worlds!

Interviewer: How would you describe your personal style?

Clara: (Spins dramatically in her chair) “Mountain couture.” Today, for example, I’m rocking a custom-made wool jumpsuit with elk antler buttons, paired with sequined hiking boots. My hat? Vintage, but with a solar panel for charging my phone. Why settle for blending in when you can bedazzle your way through life?

Interviewer: What keeps you grounded in Colorado Springs? You could live in Paris or New York, after all.

Clara: Oh, this city is my muse. The mountains, the crisp air, the locals with their unpredictable mix of flannel and Patagonia vests. My favorite part is when someone tells me, “I don’t care about fashion,” but then walks away wearing my hand-knit buffalo plaid scarf. Fashion isn’t about runways—it’s about telling a story, and Colorado Springs has the best stories.

Interviewer: What’s next for Clara Montague?

Clara: I’m working on a line called “Everyday Opulence.” Think: waterproof trench coats lined with silk, hiking backpacks that double as evening clutches, and snow gloves with touchscreen fingertips embroidered in gold thread. My goal? To convince everyone—high fashion snobs and the guy wearing Crocs to the grocery store—that a little luxury never hurt anyone.

Interviewer: Any advice for aspiring designers?

Clara: Don’t let anyone put you in a box. Unless it’s a really fabulous, hand-painted, sustainably sourced box. Then you can rock that box—but only on your own terms.

Clara’s refusal to pick a side makes her a misfit in the world of fashion—and that’s exactly why Colorado Springs loves her. Well, maybe “love” is too strong a word. Let’s call it begrudging admiration.