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Dressed to thrill

There are few rules at the Wearable Art Fashion Show in Dunedin, where designers are encouraged to get outrageous.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES, Times Staff Writer
Published August 17, 2007

DUNEDIN - If the lamp shade fits, wear it.

That's the spirit of Saturday night's third annual Wearable Art Fashion Show at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. At this event, creativity runs wild.

"I like to call it our 'art-rageous' show," said Kaya Parwanicka, the center's special-events coordinator.

"The outfits are art, but they are mostly outrageous. They are edgy, sexy, fun and very unusual."

We're talking dare-to-wear minis. Bras of steel. Veggie couture.

The evening gets under way at 7:30 p.m. with a preparty; the dressed-to-thrill fashion show starts at 9 p.m.

Proceeds from the $15 general admission and $55 reserved seating will support educational programs at the Fine Art Center.

Parwanicka said she hopes the event will be a real eye-opener in more ways than one.

"I don't think a lot of people realize we have this much talent here in Tampa Bay," she said.

The show was designed to attract younger, hipper crowds to the art center, though Parwanicka said audiences range from "20-year-olds with tattoos and crazy hair to those in their 70s."

"They all love it; it's a fun mix," she said. The event has proved to be hugely popular in past years, with organizers having to turn away latecomers.

This year, 10 designers have used a surprising variety of media for their flamboyant collections. Look for materials like paper, metal, corn husks, grape leaves, palm tree fibers, peppers and lentils.

Fashion design student Rogerio Martins calls one of his collections Dinner.

"In fashion," he said, "everything is possible."

Dunedin Vice Mayor Deborah Kynes, who has modeled in previous shows, is back this year as a designer. Her collection takes on sort of a delightfully wicked air with her Bride of Frankenstein-themed vintage wear.

"I bought an old 1940s gown at the Oldsmar Flea Market and thought how fun it would be to spoof the original 1935 Bride of Frankenstein, so I headed off in that direction," she said.

Instead of pretty little flower girls, look for a mechanical rat to lead the way down the catwalk.

Carly Champagne, who has a degree in fine arts from the University of South Florida, experimented with latex for this year's show. She made a cast of her model's body, with all the nooks and crannies that come with it. The creation will be quite form-fitting.

"I want to bring out the idea that it's okay to be comfortable with your body," she said. "And you have to be comfortable to wear this."

The runway will extend to 40 feet long this year for better viewing, and professional lighting has been added. The preparty will move outside under a big tent. There will be music. Beer, wine and Red Bull-tinis Red Bull and vodka will be available.

Frank Strunk III of St. Petersburg is a fine-art artisan who works in metal.

He'll show seven industrial-looking outfits with strategically placed bells and whistles, demonstrating his ability to tweak the fashion genre with his kinetic toolbox.

One is a Victorian ball gown made out of metal with 16 little wheels and some high-tech gadgetry.

"I don't want to give away the surprises," he said, "but it's hot."

Terri Bryce Reeves can be reached at treeves@tampabay.rr.com

Fashion fundraiser

What: Third annual Wearable Art Fashion Show, a fundraiser for the Dunedin Fine Art Center.

When: Saturday. The preparty begins at 7:30 p.m.; the runway show is at 9 p.m. Arrive early to guarantee admission.

Where: Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd.

Cost: $15 general admission; $55 reserved seating.

Information: Call (727) 298-3322 or visit www.dfac.org.

[Last modified August 16, 2007, 20:29:03]