Opening Event—Runway Fashion Show and Dance Party in Celebration of Inspiring Beauty (Sold Out)
Saturday, October 28, 2017
East Building
SOLD OUT
This event is sold out, but we have another fabulous night of fashion and beauty planned! Learn more about Behind the Seams, and get your tickets for the Thursday, November 30 event.
Attitude. That’s what it takes to rock the runway, and we’ve got tons of it to open our new exhibition, Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair. Watch our runway show of juried designs by 13 emerging designers from four North Carolina universities. Fashions in the show are inspired by concepts in the exhibition, such as the power of color, innovative materials, and body positivity. Plus, additional looks by designer Zang Toi and a special appearance by several FLAIR alum and former Ebony Fashion Fair models.
Raleigh’s style icon and rapper-musician Zensofly DJs and performs a short set. After the show and awards, it's your turn to take the dance floor and walk through the exhibition. Dress to impress! Cash bar and snacks.
Special Guests
• André Leon Talley, former Vogue editor and front-row regular at fashion shows in New York, Paris, London, and Milan for more than 25 years. Durham native Talley uses his influence to promote young fashion designers and mentors young talent in other fields.
• Audrey Smaltz, the voice of the Ebony Fashion Fair for seven years, is host and emcee of the opening night fashion show.
Schedule
8 pm Registration/Bars Open
8:30 pm Runway Show Begins
9:30 pm Juried Results for Runway Show Announced
9:45 pm Dance Party
10:45 pm Bars Close
Guest Jurors
• Sarah Yarborough and Victor Lytvinenko, owners/designers at Raleigh Denim Workshop
• Zang Toi, celebrated fashion designer of House of Toi, celebrating its 20th year
• Faye Clerk Moseley, founder of FLAIR: Fashion Legacy Association for Industry Recognition
• Justin LeBlanc, 3-D print artist, fashion designer, and assistant professor of art and design. Finalist on Season 12 of Project Runway and Season 4 of Project Runway All Stars.
Featured Designers
Sarah Rose Bischoff, Red Rocks at Sunset
Appalachian State University
Inspired by b. Michael, Ball Gown, spring/summer 2007
Jessica Crabtree, Self-Possession
North Carolina State University, College of Textiles
Inspired by Pierre Balmain
Abbie Doss, Raspberry Frills
North Carolina State University, College of Textiles
Inspired by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, fall/winter 1968–69
Brittney Gray, Living in Color
UNC–Greensboro
Inspired by Henry Jackson, 2005
Desiree M. Hedrick, Power Meets Beauty
North Carolina A+T State University
Inspired by Henry Jackson, 2005
Rang Li and Wen Li, Oriental Antiquarianism
North Carolina State University, College of Textiles
Inspired by Hanae Mori, fall/winter 2001–02
Victoria Luong Vu, Agbara
North Carolina State University, College of Textiles
Inspired by Henry Jackson, 2005
Wilhelmina Mends-Cole, In Full Bloom
North Carolina A+T State University
Inspired by Sarli, Cocktail Ensemble, fall/winter 1999–2000
Carly Owens, Water Droplet Dress
North Carolina State University, College of Design
Inspired by Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe, Water Droplet Dress
Wes Rowe, Feathers of Another Color
North Carolina A+T State University
Inspired by Tilmann Grawe, Cocktail Dress, fall/winter 2003–04
Laura Wyker, Kaleidoscope
North Carolina State University, College of Design
Inspired by Stephen Burrows, Evening Dress, spring/summer 2007
Samantha Young, Paris City Lights
Appalachian State University
Inspired by Tilmann Grawe, Cocktail Dress, fall/winter 2003–04
Exhibition Sponsors
Opening Event Sponsors
In-kind support:
Taji Salon (hair and makeup for runway models)
FLAIR: Fashion Legacy Association for Industry Recognition
