Regalia: Wearable Art Show

On November 5, ACAD’s Wearable Art – Object and Body Class transformed the packed and pulsating Art Central into a pillar performance space.  Attendees at Regalia were given front-row access to the three-tiered runway to sample the freshest perspectives in Calgary fashion.

Barbara Wordon literally made a meal out of her materials by setting the perfect table for one.   A well-structured, table-cloth gown was the base for a royal blue, folded-napkin sash – complete with cutlery tucked into its crisp fold – and what better crown for a delish-Princess than a silver platter serving up appetizing morsels.

Lindsay Joy and Jennifer Akkerman used the 20^th century suit as the canvas on which to create.  Joy did an Elizabethan remix on the contemporary corporate stable by stuffing the flutes of a nouveau neck-ruff with purple tulle, while Akkerman set the 3-piece-suit decidedly askew by drowning her male model in a parachute-sized striped tie.

Some artist’s pieces were more performative, like Ashley Q who sent a lithe elephant down the runway with a safari-woman hot on her trails.  Wearing a grey, strapless silk mini and a pellet of bullets serving as the elephant’s trunk, she created tension between her two models by giving the animal ammunition, but the armed hunter the weapon.

The remainder of the show dramatically teetered between light and dark; with some artists favouring a feminine fit built from natural fibres while others had a sharper edge by incorporating spiky-lines and sturdy-materials.

Bandeau tops, bellies and over-the shoulder accessories were the focus of Georgia Lee and Ashleigh Amber Moore’s pieces. Lee’s ocean-beauties wore aquamarine skirts with mini logs of raw driftwood draping off bare shoulders and Moore’s bandeau-babes floated under weighty, teardrop glass. Completing Moore’s look was hair set in large, parallel rollers, turning her models into tubular-Medusas.

Goddesses draped in vibrant, free-floating fibres descended from the Heavens in Jodie Stevens’ pieces entitled “Transflow” while Rebecca Taylor and Georgia Lee played with Mother Earth herself by showcasing raw fibres and feathers (Taylor), neutral tones, twigs and flowers (Lee).  The real showstopper was Amy Malbeuf’s bathing beauties who appeared to be emerging fresh from the sea, wearing shimmering swimsuits with huge neckpieces that were constructed to look like a shoreline brimming with beach activities.  Topping it all off with multi-coloured beads, leaves & feathers draping from the neckpieces, the overall effect was stunning and playful.

Mixed in with these breezy, delicate pieces were garments constructed from more rigid materials.  Highlights included Leo Casuga Jr.’s DJ femme-fatales whose LP corsets and turntable skirts made everyone’s head spin and the fan favourites, Sam Huskisson and Nick Ward, who rocked post-apocalyptic worlds. One of Huskisson’s well-armed models was suited in grey, reflective leggings and black, Lego-like war-gear and Ward’s wild-duo descended the runway in structured leather garments and gas masks with fangs.  Anna Cunningham’s male models closed the show with a fantastic-flourish: wearing only boxer-briefs, their taught bodies were the sturdy foundation for the spectacular webbed-architecture that extended from their fit-frames.

The entire show was a flavourful taste of what ACAD’s Wearable Art class has been up to this season.  The fact that the pieces were so vibrant and rich made them the treat of the evening.

Words by Amy Strilchurk

Photos by David Austin © 2009