On Sunday, August 21, the Festival of Arts held its annual Festival Runway Fashion Show highlighting creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Festival artists wowed audiences with their creativity and talent constructing outfits from reclaimed, reused, or recycled materials.
A panel of three judges chose the top looks in four categories while nearly 1,000 Festival visitors casted their votes for the “People’s Choice Award.” The Festival Runway Fashion Show was hosted by film production designer Nelson Coates. Selecting the winners were Costume Designer on the Late Late Show with James Corden: Lauren Shapiro, Pageant of the Masters Director: Diane Challis Davy, and fashion executive, textile designer, documentary producer and creative director: Suzi Chauvel.
“We want to thank all the extraordinary artists who took part in the runway competition this weekend,” shared Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing/PR and Merchandising at Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach. “The original, one of a kind, spectacular ensembles showcased by the Festival artists are truly incredible. The judges had a tough job selecting the top choices, as every piece was awe-inspiring and so very creative!”
The 2022 Festival Runway Fashion Show winners include:
“Most Creative Concept” was awarded to watercolor painter Natalia Duarte for her Keurig parts inspired summer dress. The beautiful dress included pieces of Keurig cups, the ring, and the foil top. She also added pop top soda cans, red and black trash bags and colored threads.
Oil Painter Kirah Martin won “Most Exciting ensemble inspired by 2022 Pageant of the Masters theme Wonderful World” for her earth inspired gown. The head dress was crafted from items lying around the artist’s house during the pandemic. The bodice was made from grocery bags and duct tape with cereal box cut outs as decoration. The skirt was made from a rescued wedding dress that was thrown out and was adorned in florals and leaves. Each leaf was individually hand sewn.
N.C. Swan received the award “Most Innovative Use of Materials” for her wedding ensemble with looks for three bridesmaids and a bride. The bridesmaid dresses were made from organic vegetable bags and leftover green trash bags. Bouquets and headpieces were made from colored plastic newspaper bags and the bouquet of flowers were made of drawstring tops of kitchen bags mixed with random artificial flowers and leaves. The bridal gown and veil were made of dry cleaner bags, white trash bags, faux lace, and Kleenex.
Mixed Media artist Jayne Dion won “Most Glamorous & Elegant Met Gala Worthy Creation” for her The Heart of the Forest themed ball gown. Utilizing 1,500 folded pieces of packing paper, 125 green plastic bottles, newspaper and toilet paper, Dion’s gown generated many “oohs” and “ahhs” as the model walked the catwalk with a matching parasol in hand. Dion’s runway looks and showmanship also impressed the crowd and took home the highly coveted “People’s Choice Award.”
Additional artists who showcased their “creative couture” were Elizabeth McGhee’s Masquerade ball gown hand sewn from hundreds of fabric masks; Cheryl Walsh’s wearable piece of art made up of test prints of her own underwater photography; Linda Potichke’s stylish ensemble made of upholstery fabric and cat food can lids; Sharon Jackman’s Amazon Warrior look made from Amazon packaging materials; and Kirsten Whalen’s coffee inspired dress featured coffee bean packaging, coffee filters, coffee cups and even coffee cup lids.