Looking Good! Art Center shows what's in fashion
International and local designers will come together for the annual fashion show fundraiser at The Art Center taking place from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
"The proceeds benefit the educational programs at the AABC including art seminars, artist workshops, slide shows, educational tours, exhibits, an open mic night and kids classes," said Rebecca Rose, the show coordinator.
The show will feature an array of designers, models and stylists.
"This year's fashion show features local designers Meagan Greynolds, Jessica Stillwagon and Allison Zehmisch, along with Zombie Apparel's Gwendolyn Kiste and we are honored to have two international designers; Lana Neumeyer from Brazil and Roberto Rivadeneira from Ecuador," said Rose.
Designers will be on hand the night of the show and most of their work is available for sale with prices starting at $25. All designs are 100 percent original including accessories.
"With there being six different designers, there is a great variety in the lineup, every kind of fabric — from recycled, vintage materials to 100 percent Brazilian fabric such as chita ... to sheer chiffon. The designs range from very elegant evening wear to rainy day wear to casual cool chic to earthy and bohemian," Rose said.
Stillwagon of Butler Township is the designer of Kynd Haze Clothing.
"I have been involved in fashion since I was young. It became my main form of art eight years ago," she said.
Stillwagon said she is inspired by life, music, nature and people as she designs. "I strive to make wonderful eco-friendly clothing, for fun, funky people. My clothing is an art piece and I hope everyone feels special while wearing it," she added.She will be showing her flagship design: a dress she made initially for her cousin. "It was inspired by her, autumn, the changing of leaves and the colors of nature during the fall season. It's made up of two different printed cottons that add dimension to the design of the dress," she said."This dress isn't for sale as the piece was made specifically for her. I completed this dress first; it was the launching point of my collection."Several of her other works will be available for purchase.Zehmisch, of Butler, has loved fashion and fabrics since she was a child."Ever since I was a young child I visited the fabric departments in stores with my mom. I loved seeing the fabrics and dreaming of what could be made from them," she said.Zehmisch's passion for fashion is driven by prints and fabrics.One of her entries in the show is a blast from the past. "I made an oilcloth raincoat and hat set. It's aqua oilcloth printed with cherries. I made it because I can remember back when women had cute raincoats to make the most of a rainy day, and I wanted to recapture that feeling," she said. The ensemble is priced at $80.
Though fashion is not often thought of an art from, Rose thinks it is an important one."Fashion is important because it's a means of self-expression — it enables us to say something important to the world about who we are, or who we'd like to be," Rose said."The clothes we wear say things about us, whether it's intentional or not. It addresses the fundamental human need to belong, to identify ourselves with a group, whether it's a lifestyle, a religion, a profession, or an attitude," she added.International flair will be added to this show via the works of Brazilian architect and fashion designer Neumeyer.Her collection is full of vibrant colors with plenty of movement. She uses beautiful original Brazilian fabric, with a lot of flowers and birds, to create an endless summer style. Her collections are created in Brazil and are one of a kind.Rivadeneira, of Ecuador, has developed consecutive collections and has been on the designing team for international beauty contests such as Miss Ecuador, Miss Guayaquil and Miss Carnival pageants. He also consults and develops the image of artists, business people and beauty contestants. His designs will add glitz and glamour.The evening includes a reception with a cash bar, appetizers, a Chinese auction, vendor booths and musical entertainment by DJ Tom.
<B>WHO: </B>Associated Artists of Butler County<B>WHAT: </B>Annual fashion show<B>WHEN: </B>7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Current exhibit, the annual holiday show and sale, runs through Dec. 31. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.<B>WHERE: </B>The Art Center 344 S. Main St.<B>TICKETS: </B>$15 in advance, $20 at the door<B>INFORMATION: </B>724-283-6922 or www.TheArtCenterButlerPA.org.
