2023 Upcycled Fashion Show Recap
Relive a Night of Fun & Sustainable Fashion!
Join us for this recap of ArtPop Street Gallery’s biggest event of 2023: The 3rd Annual Upcycled Fashion Show! We’ll take you behind the scenes of this art-filled spin on an runway event, and introduce you to the talented designers who transformed billboards into 15 stunning pieces of couture fashion!
This annual event is ArtPop’s primary fundraising event, and all proceeds directly support our mission of showcasing local artists and making art accessible to all. As you delve into the show, consider making a donation or Sponsoring our 2024 Upcycled Fashion Show!
What is the ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show?
The ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show is an annual runway exhibition of local designers' work created from untraditional, repurposed materials - in this case, the retired billboard vinyls printed with original artwork from our Cities Program. This facet of our Upcycling Initiative gives new life to the art while helping us reduce the environmental impact of our program - and makes for a fantastic evening to remember!
Original artwork by local artist Melissa Crosson
#ArtPopCLT 2022 Billboard featuring Melissa’s artwork
Upcycled fashion made from the retired billboard material
Let’s Jump Into The Fifteen 2023 Upcycled Fashion Show Pieces!
Avant Garde Fashion Moments | Designer: Will White Jr.
This look is a corseted peak-a-boo thigh gown paired with an oversized cinched bell sleeve opera coat with elaborate train, all made from artist, Kevin Harris’s retired billboard.
Designer Will White thought it important to include the artist’s name and some of those of our amazing sponsors in the final design simply because it helps tell the story of ArtPop Street Gallery and how the relationship between sponsor/donor and artist comes together to make art more accessible on a big scale. Speaking of scale Will decided to use a ton of yardage in this final look since he’s always been inspired by over the top Avant Garde fashion moments. The biggest challenge Will had while creating was being sure to find innovative ways to stick to the integrity of how he would build any custom dress and translating that into an all vinyl look, but he had a great time doing it.
Model, Jashanta is truly ready for the met gala or the most fabulous target run one could ever dream of.
Designer: Will White JR. | Billboard Artist: Kevin Harris | Model: Jashanta Brown
A Historical Evolution Of Bows | Student Designer: Sarah Grace Simas
This ball gown was inspired by the historical evolution of bows and its many different iterations throughout history which have clearly stood the test of time. Bows evoke a sense of femininity, sweetness, and romance and this garment was meant to encapsulate these themes. The bodice was constructed from three tiered bows with cutouts in between providing a more modern look. The skirt of the ballgown is designed with voluminous layering and nods to the dramatic ball gowns of the 1850s. The piece is finished with an oversized bow on the back.
Student Designer: Sarah Grace Simas | Billboard Artist: Melissa Crosson | Model: Deeksha Mirhra
Inspired By My Model | Designer: JanelleMarie Jarvis
“My piece was actually inspired by my model. She is my best friend, and she has never had a wedding. 10 years ago her and her husband got married at the courthouse and had a super cute dinner reception. So because my sister is multi-layered and beautifully complex, I wanted to take this time to use an amazing artistic textile with its varying patterns, unique characteristics, design and immense emotion by NadiaO to create a sweetheart bodice wedding gown with a belted high collar cape complete with lace veil and gloves.”
Designer: JanelleMarie Jarvis | Billboard Artist: Nadia Ogunfowora | Model: Tiffany “Tip Jones” Keaton
Old Fashioned Ribbon Candy | Designer: Rachel Malasky
“I was inspired by all of the stunning colors in Travis Johnson's beautiful painting. The huge flower in particular really stuck out to me and my dress is a reflection of how his painting made me feel. I started with the pure white of the bottom border for the bodice. For me it symbolizes what we all start as a simple perfect being. Through our experiences in life, our choices, our friends, family, the light and dark that are part of us and turns us into the unique and lovely people we become. Each one of us starts as a blank slate and blooms into who we are and who we are is amazing. The bodice is made up of petals to create a flower, each petal different and each one beautiful. It’s a simple 8 panel corset that we slowly built up petal by petal, attaching each one separately. The skirt of the gown is similar to a double circle skirt but I was inspired by old fashioned ribbon candy. As a child I was always given this at special times like Christmas and birthdays and for me the combination of sweet but hard was the perfect reflection of life.”
Designer: Rachel Malasky | Billboard Artist: Travis Johnson | Model: Gretchen Heavier
Stunning Charlotte Sunset | Designer: Rocio Llusca
Designer Rocio Llusca drew inspiration from the stunning sunset in Charlotte, blending vibrant colors like orange and yellow, which beautifully merge with the turquoise blue of the sky in this cocktail dress. The ensemble includes accessories such as an elegant hat and a matching bag. The dress's materials feature vinyl from a renowned artist, Cynthia Allison, conveying Rocio Llusca's powerful message of promoting second chances for all recycled materials.
Designer: Rocio Llusca | Billboard Artist: Cynthia Allison | Model: Keyera Childs
Circular Intersections | Designer: Que Blankenship
This piece is called Circular Intersections and it is Que’s play on artist, Melissa Stutts’, Class of 2022 ArtPop Billboard installation. The artist’s original piece is made of encaustic wax overlapping layers of colored wax and sealed with a blowtorch. This process creates peeks of color and irregular circles.
Que’s design is an interpretation of the artist’s original piece. She says, “I wanted to embody the use of circles throughout my design as the artist has. Layering the circles as well as revealing hints of color throughout. My piece is long and linear as a play on the real length of the material itself, a 48 foot billboard. This is my take on a wearable billboard.” The use of repetitive circular shapes adds softness and interest to an otherwise desperate space. Netting is used to form around the hips, giving the circles a place to cling while continuing the circular intersections until it trails off thus assists in extending the linear space.
Designer: Que Blankenship | Billboard Artist: Melissa Stutts | Model: Imani Ali Mustaf
Dressed For Dinner | Designer: Jennifer Gilomen
Jennifer selected Kat Sanchez’s billboard because of the image of woven textiles and the brilliant jewel-like colors. She designed a sleeveless Evening gown with cape-like wings lined with pistachio green velvet. Velvet opera gloves Jennifer’s inspiration was from movies from the 30s when it seemed like everyone “dressed for dinner.” She loves this era where everyone strived for elegance and glamour. Jennifer was inspired by a style culture that valued elegance and sophistication. The opera gloves are such a symbol of this glamorous era.
Designer: Jennifer Gilomen | Billboard Artist: Kat Sanchez | Model: Elena Malicki
Generational Fashion | Designer: Jamie Lykes ll
This ensemble features a billowed train with a sleeve that’ll make you scream. The silhouette of this look is 70s inspired, when fashion was about the woman wearing the clothes and not the other way around. Tailoring was the IT factor back then and skin was most certainly IN. The women had a balance of class and appeal that made all the men squeal. Sky-high slits and cutouts were all the rave which brings us to this luxurious cocktail dress, featuring an asymmetrical hem and neckline. The pleating along the bodice represents the strength and authority of a woman, while the darling plunging backless finish holds her ladylike character. The artwork featured on the billboard was produced by Mrs. Cary Caldwell, who also customized the high heels and made the jewelry that you see! Women wear many hats, and over the years have continually shattered any glass ceiling standing in their way with grace and femininity. She’s elegant, powerful, and constantly flourishing. Who is she? She’s your mother, sister, best friend, partner, coworker, and confidant … she’s a woman!
Designer: Jamie Lykes ll | Billboard Artist: Cary Caldwell | Model: Nesha
Highlighting My Heritage | Edelweiss Vogel
“I’m making an ensemble of Philippine attire/clothing. It’s an A-line dress from traditional pre-colonial and modern day styles. I want all of the pieces of this dress to be celebrated, from the dress, headgear, and a decorated face. Each piece has a symbolic meaning , not just a utilitarian design to be a practical article of clothing.
One of the features of this piece is the headgear, called salakot. Salakot is a part of Filipinos' everyday attire in both the province and metropolitan cities. It is a traditional hat or headgear used by fishermen and farmers in the Philippines to protect themselves from the sun and rain. It was also used as a helmet during both revolutionary and world wars.
I wanted to highlight my heritage by using the silhouette of the Filipiniana butterfly sleeves paired with embellished salakot/headgear. Our clothing or what we wear speaks for and represents us. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s also a voice that communicates and can make a change or difference. It creates a sense of belonging.”
Designer & Billboard Artist: Edelweiss Vogel | Model: Edelwieen De Guzman
The One That I Want | Designer: CT Anderson
This outfit was designed using vinyl from the billboard of the wonderful artist Liz Haywood, whose name is visible on the finished garment. Designed by CT Anderson, at least 3 designers and members of the Woven Fashion Incubator, a Springclean partner, contributed to garment production. We hand cut the vinyl, and created a lining for the bustier using upcycled strips from cotton t-shirts. For the jacket and bustier, we massaged the material to simulate the feel and appearance of well-worn leather.
CT Anderson was inspired to make this design from one of her favorite musicals, Grease. The bustier and cigarette pants are inspired by Olivia Newton John's character when singing "The One That I Want" with John Travolta. The color scheme fuses the motorcycle jackets of the T-Birds and pink satin jackets of the Pink Ladies—a mix of soft and dark. The result is whimsical, artistic and fashionable paying homage to the teen sensibilities of exploration and discovery found in the film.
Designer: CT Anderson | Billboard Artist: Liz Haywood | Model: Raina Xythalis
Cocktail Flared | Designer: Chris Hairston
This women's stylish cocktail flared shirt was created using vinyl pieces from the billboard artist Stuart Peterman. Chris typically makes fashion for men, but wanted to take this opportunity to challenge himself and create a wearable piece for women.
Chris did not follow a traditional path to art. In fact, Chris is a former high school, college and NFL football player! Chris says, “Once football was done, my new career just took off from there. People loved the garments I was making and from there the brand ‘Grand-ur Garments’ was born.”
Designer: Chris Hairston | Billboard Artist: Stuart Peterman | Model: Taylor Goss
Caladrius Bird | Designer Shekinah Williams
“My inspiration for this piece derived from Bethany Salisbury's Caladrius bird with two heads, a mythological creature with the fate of healing and suffering in its eyes. . Knowing that each eye holds the key to your fate made them become the piece's focal point. Each side of the jumper gives a different look. The jacket is the focal point with each eye on the shoulders of the jacket the beaks flow into the sleeves and at the end of the sleeves are the red ropings that the bird has tied around the beak. The flow of healing is represented by the draped side of the “Skant” (Skort Pants), and the suffering is represented by the sharp visible pants leg. The outfit is a Skant Jumper and jacket.”
Designer: Shekinah Williams | Billboard Artist: Bethany Salisbury | Model: Anialia Taylor
Fashion Reimagined | Designer: Verna Witt
“The inspiration for the cocktail dress I designed came from two sources.
First, I was inspired by the recent exhibit at the Mint Museum uptown, “Fashion Reimagined”. I observed the silhouettes of various dresses both historic and modern and how they reshape the body. 18th century hoops under a skirt were common. I took that idea and put the hoop outside over a straight skirt recalling the hula hoop of my childhood in the late 1950’s.I then looked at my ArtPop design and thought about the ceramic birdhouse images on my billboard. The idea of the overlap of feathers on bird wings and the variation of color inspired the pleating on the sleeves and the bodice.
The model’s accessory is a handmade ceramic handbag by the designer. Verna’s formal training as a textile designer is reflected in her ceramic art. Her work is often inspired by her interest in current fashion trends, especially handbags. She is also looking for ways to create vessels that fool the eye. By using glazes, she creates the “faux” look of a seemingly metallic zipper or clasps. Verna hopes to entice the viewer to take a closer look and perhaps tempt them to touch her pottery to make sure it is all 100% clay and not leather. Hand building with soft slab stoneware allows her to create uniquely designed handbags.”
Designer & Billboard Artist: Verna Witt | Model Dasia Hood
The Black Madonna | Designer: Anise Augustin
Anaisa Pye from Dominican Loa, the Virgin Mary from Catholicism, and Yemoja from Yuroba Mythology. This goddess has many different names, permeates all religious iconography, and most of all is an aspect that resides in all of us; the everyday mother and/or child. Anise says, “I asked myself if the Black Madonna was a living breathing being what would she look like? What would she wear? I envision her as a being, not of this world and all her god-like glory will be manifested in a lavish-looking detail-filled ensemble: a long oversize coat fit for any royal figure layered over an outfit that also makes a statement of its own and in mother-child fashion a coordinating outfit for her child with just the same amount of flare. A combination that is sure to stop a show!
Designer: Anise Augustin | Billboard Artist: Kalin Devone | Models: Sydney Allen & Christian Ready
FASHION DESIGNERS:
Will White JR.
Sarah Grace Simas
JanellemMarie Jarvis
Rachel Malasky
Rocio Llusca
Que Blankenship
Jennifer Gilomen
Jamie Lykes ll
Edelweiss Vogel
CT Anderson
Chris Hairston
Shekinah Williams
Verna Witt
Anise Augustin
RUNWAY MODELS:
Jashanta Brown
Deeksha Mirhra
Tiffany “Tip Jones” Keaton
Gretchen Heavier
Keyera Childs
Imani Ali Mustaf
Elena Malicki
Nesha
Eeileen De Guzman
Raina Xythalis
Taylor Goss
Anialia Taylor
Dasia Hood
Sydney Allen & Christian Ready
BILLBOARD ARTISTS:
Kevin Harris
Melissa Crosson
Nadia Ogunfowora
Travis Johnson
Cynthia Allison
Melissa Stutts
Kat Sanchez
Cary Caldwell
Edelweiss Vogel
Liz Haywood
Stuart Peterman
Bethany Salisbury
Verna Witt
Kalin Devone
HOSTED BY:
Ohavia Phillips
SPECIAL VIP GUEST:
Luis Machicao
VIDEOGRAPHY:
Hakim Media Productions
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Da Nam
Rob Webb
VENUE:
Griffith Hall at Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO MADE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE:
Tim O’Connell
David Feldman
SPONSOR FUTURE UPCYCLED FASHION SHOWS:
ArtPop is seeking sponsors for our Annual Fundraising Events. Become a sponsor and enjoy special VIP perks including premier seating, swag, refreshments, and much more!
Event Gallery:
