Open any wardrobe and a plethora of colourful fabrics greets the eye. But where were these clothes made? Are they out of fashion? Can they be up-cycled?
Indeed they can, and eCouture Wearable Art Fashion Show will serve to inspire the very fabric of such creativity.
Fabric artisans Wendy Drummond, Shaunalee Yates and Amber Friedman organized the first wearable art fashion show last year. This year, they have been joined by Fran Cudworth.
“Last year was a wonderful experience,” said Drummond. “There were times we went, ‘Oh my god, what have we got ourselves into?’ We had a vision of what could be possible and the sheer tenacity of keeping focused on making it happen was one of the most gratifying learning experiences.”
The event coincided with the anniversary of the 2013 collapse of a garment factory building in Bangladesh that killed 1,100 textile workers. “Somehow, that escaped us up until the day we held the show,” said Drummond. “Then I saw there was much more behind the fashion show concept.”
Moving into year two, Drummond said the group wanted more awareness about the environmental footprint of fabric and dyes leading up to next week’s show. That way the public can have more understanding of their buying choices, she said.
“The show is the culmination where they get to see how that might look differently,” said Drummond.
Another initiative is to provide people with a place to go for help with their sewing endeavours.
Drummond has started Fibre Space, which has been running at Vancouver Island University (VIU) over the past month and continues 9 am to 4 pm Fridays until June 17.
“Maybe that would be an ongoing component where people can connect regularly over learning lots of different things about fibre,” said Cudworth.
At the eCouture Fashion Show, one-of-a-kind clothing from local designers will be worn along the catwalk by local models.
Criteria for submissions fell into one or more of the following: the fabric was made from natural materials and fibres; it came from within a 100-mile radius; the material is hand-dyed or printed; the outfit can be wearables made from items found in the recycling box; and it could be clothing that is repurposed, refashioned and up-cycled.
The fibre artisans work under the Malaspina Art Society umbrella when looking for funding and said the society has been a strong supporter of the fashion show.
Anyone attending the show will be treated to emcee Greg Cran, campus administrator at VIU Powell River, describing over 45 eCouture outfits.
The evening will also include a vintage clothing display, a designer market and refreshments including a cash bar and snacks. The designer market allows interaction with the 17 or more designers and potential for sales of various items.
“Just like the street party is the most well known thing about Blackberry Festival, I really want the fashion show to be the big social celebration of Earth Month,” said Yates.
Doors open at 6:30 pm on Saturday, April 30 at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre. Tickets are available for $10 each from Ecossentials, Base Camp, Artique and members of Malaspina Art Society.
