Beauty, Creativity Abound at Fashion Show

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Laura Nelson walks the runway in an ensemble designed by Mariana Nelson.
Laura Nelson walks the runway in an ensemble designed by Mariana Nelson. Photo courtesy of the Festival of Arts.

By Loreen Berlin,

Special to the Independent

The momentous 2015 Festival of Arts Runway Fashion Show will be remembered for breath-taking fashion worth savoring.

“Oh,” exclaimed the audience, taken by surprise at the artistry that adorned each of the seven models.

“And the winner is…”

The most glamorous red-carpet worthy ensemble went to Mariana Nelson’s creation, which also garnered the coveted “People’s Choice” award..

The cocktail dress modeled by Laura Nelson was created from more than 2,000 black cocktail straws dipped in gold. “How?” you ask, did she collect all of those straws? Supposedly, Nelson jested she only had to take a summer cruise to Greece to complete that task, where, “every hour is a cocktail hour.”

Also reclaimed was the bodice of Nelson’s outfit, from dry cleaning bags ironed and fused together to look like cream-colored seashells, then dipped in gold. A hat fashioned of fan parts, “formerly owned” CDs and zip ties crowned the ensemble.

Each year, festival exhibitors fashion garments from 80 percent used, recycled or re-used materials.

The most exciting ensemble was a Brad Elsberry creation modeled by Erika Baldwin.

Model Erika Baldwin walks the runway in an ensemble designed by W. Bradley Elsberry
Model Erika Baldwin walks the runway in an ensemble designed by W. Bradley Elsberry. Photo by Loreen Berlin

 

Elsberry’s own outfit matched Baldwin’s, created from 50 pairs of blue-denim jeans purchased at thrift stores.

Baldwin first stepped onto the walkway in a long evening coat of recycled denim building insulation. Momentarily, though, Elsberry lifted the cape from Baldwin’s shoulders to reveal a body-shaped evening dress of various hues of denim as audience members shook their heads in disbelief at the display of beauty and imagination.

The most creative concept, “Bloom,” was concocted and modeled by Elizabeth McGhee and meant to resemble jellyfish. Her outfit carried an environmental message about how jelly fish mistake floating plastic bags as food. Used sweaters and plastic water containers completed the outfit.

Returning model Alicia Chavex wore an exquisite long evening gown devised by Casey Parlette. The sculptor took inspiration from butterflies he saw in the Amazon by creating a butterfly headdress for Chavex.

The off-the-shoulder dress and bonnet were composed of wood, titanium scraps, paper, plastic and dry cleaner bags, along with door screen and feathers.

Runway host Cristina Ferrare described being taken aback by the creativity and imagination each designer put into their individual garments.

Loreen Berlin may be reached at [email protected]

 

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