Utah isn’t known for its fashion scene, but it soon will be according to the directors of Art Meets Fashion (AMF). Saturday, October 16, 2010, AMF and The Salt Lake Art Center hosted a fashion show featuring very talented local designers Rachel Domingo, McKell Maddox, Krista Nielson, Jordan Halverson, Rebekah McKinny and Keith Bryce.
The designers for the AMF show all had very unique and often eclectic collections.
Rachel Domingo’s inspiration for her collection, Siren’s Daughter, seemed to be more avant-garde with a twist from the 1940s. The most unique piece in her collection was the colorful, just below the knee-length, rag-dress. Most of the pieces in Siren’s Daughter were more high fashion and creative than something that could be worn regularly.
McKell Maddox collection for AMF, From the Soapbox, featured more wearable pieces than the designer before her but somewhat lacked uniqueness. A few of her pieces featured the same material used in different places on the body but for similar styled looks, which was a little disappointing considering her unique designs that were featured during her audition for Season 8 of Project Runway.
Krista Nielson’s collection, Calypso, featured a variety of unique swimsuits for females. Neilson’s designs were vintage looking yet somehow modern with interesting cuts and creative use of zippers. She calls her collection “sophisticated resort wear that flaunts chic style and sexy silhouettes.” This much is entirely true. Her entire collection was creative and fun with lots of color but was simple enough that any one of the pieces could be worn off the runway.
Match Sticks and Sugar Packets, the name of designer Jordan Halversen’s AMF collection, featured wearable designs with not so wearable prints. His collection, like Domingo’s, had a 1940s feel to it complete with trouser shorts and high-waist skirts. He over uses the odd looking frills that are reminiscent of the leather frills on jackets in the 90s, even on the men. A lot of his pieces were very good but there were a few, like the frills and a three-quartered sleeve jacket and shorts on a man that stood out in the wrong way.
The collection done by Rebekah McKinny, Eros, was absolutely amazing. Her creative colors, loose necklines, and high-waist seams brought what could have been boring office wear to life. The only thing that wasn’t complete were a pair of shorts that had unfinished hems, a small flaw in this really adorable collection.
AMF certainly saved the best two collections for last with McKinny’s more professional line and Keith Bryce’s collection, Menagerie. Bryce’s collection starts out as a more high -end fashion, almost avant-garde but not quite as outrageous, with strappy leather boots that go half way up the thigh. His creative way of braiding pieces of cloth together to create a dress or shirt is very unique, especially in comparison to the other collections at AMF. As the pieces progressed they became more wearable but ended with a lot of shoulder pads, which was a little disappointing; however, he made up for it in all of his other pieces.
AMF was just a taste of what Salt Lake City has to offer the fashion world. A few of these local artists sell their designs at local shops including the HIVE Boutique and The Black Chandelier.
Other contributions to the show included SLCC and The Art Institute of Salt Lake. All proceeds for the Art Meets Fashion show will benefit the Human Rights Campaign.
The SLC Ballet, VooDoo Carnival, Beauté Dérangée, NoiZ Dance, Julia Wentz and Lindsay Heath provided live entertainment for the fashion show. Custom Model DJ’s provided DJ sets during the show.
More information about each of the designers as well as information about each of their collections and where to buy their designs can be found at www.artmeetsfashion.net.