Inside Tokiprism’s ‘Phantom Memory’
Surrounded by candlelight, stained glass, and lots of lace, Nagisa Corbett’s ‘Phantom Memory’ transported guests into a corseted, shadowy world of silhouettes, sculpture, and the intersection of artistic communities.
Corbett, the designer behind alternative fashion brand, Tokiprism, hosted ‘Phantom Memory,’ a weekend-long event in Denver, Colorado consisting of an art gallery exhibition, runway show, and afterparty rave. The designer and event host organized over 20 artists, debuted two of her own paintings, and a runway collection Oct. 23–24, all intentionally woven into the spirit of Halloween.
Nagisa’s dream was always to be a fashion designer, a path that has called to her since adolescence, and an ever-evolving passion of exploration and self-expression.
“My design language is experimental and emotionally driven. I love blending contrasting elements like softness and edge, fantasy and reality, or even my Japanese and Western influences,” Corbett said. “My style is also heavily inspired by gothic subcultures and aesthetics. I’m drawn to the dark romantic, rebellious, and poetic side of fashion. I see clothing as a form of storytelling, and I like to create pieces that evoke a mood or transport people into a world.”
Tokiprism has been around the block, being a brand for six years and participating in Colorado’s infamous Denver Fashion Week twice. But, if you dig further beneath the surface of the conventional productions, the Mile High city has a lot to offer.
“The Denver fashion scene is small but growing every year. There are so many talented artists who want to support each other, and I’ve seen the community evolve a lot over the years with new designers bringing fresh energy,” Corbett said. “Compared to the underground music scene, fashion feels more structured, while the music scene is more raw, more rebellious. Both are creative and passionate.”
This was the first event Corbett hosted on her own, supported in part by an award from the RiNo Arts District. The catalyst? Simply knowing and being surrounded by so many multi-faceted creatives.
“I chose the name Phantom Memory because it evokes a sense of mystery, nostalgia, and unseen stories & ideas that linger with us. Hosting it around Halloween felt natural because it’s a time when people embrace imagination, transformation, and a darker, whimsical energy,” Corbett explained. “The timing and the name together create a space where fashion, art, and music can feel immersive, theatrical, and a little otherworldly.”
Much like the brand Tokiprism, which carries Nagisa’s individual touch within each garment, the event embedded her flair and otherworldly, dark, dreamy vision.
Kicking off on October 23, the art gallery exhibitions organically focused around themes of life, death, growth, nature, and whimsy. During the exhibition, Betenoire’s models walked through the crowd in ghoulish couture, promoting the runway show the next day and handing out complimentary gifts to guests.
“Planning this event has definitely been challenging because there were so many moving parts and details to manage, but it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. I opened up an art call so anyone could have the opportunity to be part of the show, and I received over 50 submissions, which made it really hard to narrow down,” Corbett said. “Someone even applied from another country, which was such a surprise! I wanted to bring together creatives from different backgrounds, styles, and mediums to showcase the diversity in our community.”
On October 24, stained-glass window panes and gothic candelabras decorated the same warehouse space from the night before–converting it from minimalist gallery to neo-industrial catwalk.
Tokiprism’s collection was influenced by gothic romanticism, juxtaposing textiles like lace and leather to embody the contrast between delicacy and protection, softness and strength. Describing it as a “vampiric ballet,” the show featured collections from designers Azuratrella, Cakebrain, Nineteen Candles, and LYN06, all with a common thread: Striking rebellion. The show closed out with a bang –– or rather, a fierce flame. Pyroglyphics choreographed a Phantom of the Opera-inspired fire performance.
“DIY events like this are so important for shaping the art world because they give emerging artists a platform, and I think as the world becomes more expensive, we’ll start leaning more and more into grassroots, community-driven projects to keep creativity alive and accessible,” Corbett said.
Denver’s DIY scene is something I’m not unfamiliar with–– it is both tight-knit and incredibly welcoming. And events like these truly take a village, Nagisa spotlighting that the event wouldn’t have been the same without her friend Mary assisting on music and visuals.
But as someone from out of town, I’m only taking peeks behind the curtain.
Nagisa told me she hopes to see, “more collaboration, experimentation, and more spaces that blend mediums instead of keeping them separate.”
“I think Denver has so much talent, it just needs more opportunities for artists to be seen and to take creative risks,” she said.
The sold-out event felt “intimate and electric at the same time.” From the photos alone, I feel the emotional presence, the anticipation of models slowly eyeing their viewers, and the curious, charismatic passion of those involved. Despite ‘Phantom Memory’ being Corbett’s first event, this was also inevitably her last runway in Denver.
Tokiprism’s next stop is moving to Tokyo, pursuing leads on runway shows, diving deeper into couture design, world-building with other creatives, and integrating other experiential mediums like film, dance and editorial.
“My clothing will soon be available at a shop in New York. Ultimately, I thrive when I’m being pushed, and this next chapter feels like a good challenge,” Corbett said. “My dream is to open my own shop in Japan, a space where I can sell my work alongside art from my friends around the world.”
Photos by @rubi.ah.photography and @camthompsonphoto
