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10th Wearable Art Fashion Show is at Dunedin Fine Art Center

 
Julian Hartzog came up with this little number.
Julian Hartzog came up with this little number.
Published Aug. 19, 2014

A 10-year mark for an event makes it eligible for the tag "venerable," so the 10th annual Wearable Art Fashion Show on Saturday at the Dunedin Fine Art Center could indeed be considered venerable. But that's such a stately word for a show that remains fresh and fun and wears its decade lightly.

In a new format, runway models will be young professionals from around the Tampa Bay area who are collaborating with designers. This will be interesting since some of the fashions in the past have often been, let's say, over the top. (Raw meat, anyone?)

We haven't seen most of the ensembles, but past creations have ranged from heavy-metal breastplates to ethereal netting with strategically placed appliques.

And runway models this year are local businesswomen, so they may be in for some surprises.

I'm sure, though, Mallory Lykes Dimmitt, Alexandra Haddad, Mason Gehring, Isis Kling, Meaghan Maxwell, Chelsea Bree McMillan, Kitty Riggs, Jacqueline R. Ambrose Root, Cathy A. Sullivan and Casey Wilcox will be good sports in their model roles, and good for them for their support.

The designers are Mark Byrne, Melissa Dolce, Neva "the Diva" Durham, Alice Ferrulo, the Garden Fairies, Julian Hartzog, Johnny Hunt, Lina Teixeira and, just back from Brazil and the World Cup, Rogerio Martins.

An additional feature will be the digital exhibition of "I Am Indonesian," Veronica and John Stewart's chronicle of the fantastic Jember Fashion Carnaval in Indonesia.

The preparty begins at 7 p.m., the fashion show rolls out at 8:30 and an after-party follows with music by surf-rock band Nova Rays.

The arts center is at 1143 Michigan Blvd.

General admission tickets are $20 and reserved seating is $40 to $75. See dfac.org or call (727) 298-3322.

Contact Lennie Bennett at lbennett@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8293.