by Alexis Michaelides
Some say fashion is art; some say not. But this past spring, I was one of seven LIM College students whose fashion project became a successful art museum exhibition.Our project definitely had its beginning in a “trade” show rather than an “art” venue. The National Stationery Show challenged LIM visual merchandising students to make art from paper to be featured in a contest at the show called “Paper Runway.” (Vendors donated the paper materials.) The industry experts, trade leaders, and vendors who attended voted on the best design. My collaboration with Margie Carroll, “Feather Fantasy,” was lucky enough to be chosen the winner.
That led to another success. Sydney Voghel-Ochs, Director of Development for the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut, saw “Paper Runway” and loved it. Her museum—which for more than a century has collected American art and history with a focus on local artists—was working hard to create edgier exhibits. She found our paper fashion concepts unique, the colors bold, and the details of our creation just what the museum needed.
The business of fashion has to work hand in hand with innovation and imagination. Although in the eco-fashion movement a few paper garments have been successfully marketed, it takes an extra spark and a bit of whimsy to transform a stiff and unyielding material into something fluid, beautiful, and inspiring.
When I helped Professor Woo and my classmates create our first paper fashions for the 2010 National Stationery Show, I had no idea how our designs would be received. Would they get a quick glance, like a craft project, or be seen as an intriguing fashion statement? With Professor Woo’s guidance, the audience responded to our designs as fashion and art. I felt honored when Sydney, a museum professional, also reacted that way to our work. We were even more gratified when she invited our team to create a special exhibit for the museum.
On October 1, 2011, the fashions from the “Paper Runway” were featured in the Mattatuck Museum’s “Chrome & Couture – Say ‘Yes’ to the Paper Dress” exhibit. It will be on display for the rest of this year.
The exhibit pairs LIM student and faculty fashion designs with collectible items from Doc’s Motorcycle Superstore in line with the museum’s focus on local artwork. Our designs were presented along with Harley-Davidson’s from World War I, scooters from the 1950s, and high-tech bikes just brought to market.
That was on-trend with contemporary androgynous fashion—such as male models like Andrej Pejic being used to sell women’s clothing. The mix of powerful and masculine motorcycles with feminine and delicate as paper dresses was thoughtfully bold. The stark contrast highlighted what was distinctly masculine and feminine about each piece. I was glad to see visitors of the exhibit’s launch marvel equally at the intricacies of the motorcycle engines and the gentle folds of the paper fashions.
That led to another success. Sydney Voghel-Ochs, Director of Development for the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut, saw “Paper Runway” and loved it. Her museum—which for more than a century has collected American art and history with a focus on local artists—was working hard to create edgier exhibits. She found our paper fashion concepts unique, the colors bold, and the details of our creation just what the museum needed.
The business of fashion has to work hand in hand with innovation and imagination. Although in the eco-fashion movement a few paper garments have been successfully marketed, it takes an extra spark and a bit of whimsy to transform a stiff and unyielding material into something fluid, beautiful, and inspiring.
When I helped Professor Woo and my classmates create our first paper fashions for the 2010 National Stationery Show, I had no idea how our designs would be received. Would they get a quick glance, like a craft project, or be seen as an intriguing fashion statement? With Professor Woo’s guidance, the audience responded to our designs as fashion and art. I felt honored when Sydney, a museum professional, also reacted that way to our work. We were even more gratified when she invited our team to create a special exhibit for the museum.
On October 1, 2011, the fashions from the “Paper Runway” were featured in the Mattatuck Museum’s “Chrome & Couture – Say ‘Yes’ to the Paper Dress” exhibit. It will be on display for the rest of this year.
The exhibit pairs LIM student and faculty fashion designs with collectible items from Doc’s Motorcycle Superstore in line with the museum’s focus on local artwork. Our designs were presented along with Harley-Davidson’s from World War I, scooters from the 1950s, and high-tech bikes just brought to market.
That was on-trend with contemporary androgynous fashion—such as male models like Andrej Pejic being used to sell women’s clothing. The mix of powerful and masculine motorcycles with feminine and delicate as paper dresses was thoughtfully bold. The stark contrast highlighted what was distinctly masculine and feminine about each piece. I was glad to see visitors of the exhibit’s launch marvel equally at the intricacies of the motorcycle engines and the gentle folds of the paper fashions.
They may also have been thinking about the artificiality not just of gender stereotypes, but the weakness of the divisions between fashion, beautiful industrially produced machines like motorcycles, and “art.”
“Newsworthy” hat by Professor Marjorie Lee Woo; Engine of 1996 Sportster 1200, FAT Tire Drag Style Custom
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