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Wearable art inspired by textile mills at Madame Magar’s Fashion Fete

Celebrate the finale of Madame Magar’s Workshop at 701 Center for Contemporary Art with a fashion performance and party, April 24, from 7-10 p.m. Charleston artist Leigh Magar will present her Mill Collection, the culmination of her work as a 701 CCA artist-in-residence in this unique fashion show featuring members of the Power Company as models with original music compositions by Charleston-based composer and artist Nick Jenkins. The party is free for 701 CCA members, with a $5 donation suggested from nonmembers. [caption id="attachment_12085" align="alignright" width="188"]First dress created for 701 CCA residence First dress created for 701 CCA residence[/caption] Magar has transformed the gallery at 701 CCA into a workshop and showroom. Inspired by a textile heritage, Magar is creating wearable art from leftover mill materials and fabrics, with visitors to the gallery witnessing her creative process played out in real time. Her Mill Collection consists of handmade items created in limited numbers that integrate art and fashion by capturing the essence of “slow design.” Each garment combines various artisan techniques: hand dying, drawing, needlework embellishment, and sculpting. The collection includes frocks, aprons, hats and accessories inspired by Lewis W. Hine’s historic, early 20th-century photographs of children working in textile mills. Magar, who studied millinery at the Fashion Institute in New York City, opened Magar Hatworks in Charleston in 1996. Her stylish hats, ranging from fedoras to elaborate cocktail wear, have been sold by high-end stores such as Barney’s in New York City and Isetan in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Her celebrity clients include Elvis Costello, Eartha Kitt, Gregory Hines and Christina Aguilera. In 2010, she established Madame Magar, bringing her interest in fashion design full circle with a dress and accessories line. Madame Magar’s Workshop is a work-in-progress art installation open to the public during gallery hours through April 30. For more information, visit 701 CCA's website. Via: 701 CCA

Applications sought for wearable art exhibit and pop up shop

Designers and wearable art artists, ages 18 and up, are invited to participate in a Wearable Art Exhibit and Pop Up Shop, presented as a component of the annual North Charleston Arts Festival, to be held May 3-11, 2013. Designs juried into the show may compete for cash prizes totaling up to $500. Deadline for the free pre-jury process is Friday, March 4, 2013. An entry fee will be applied to accepted entries. Applications may be downloaded from the Applications page at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. Organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, and juried by award-winning and nationally exhibiting textile artist, Torreah “Cookie” Washington, this unique exhibition offers emerging and established designers an opportunity to display and sell their inspiring wearable art designs of all styles for both men and women. Individual garments, ensembles, hats, handbags, scarves, belts, and shoes juried into the exhibit will be on display and available for sale at a pop up shop at the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston, from May 3 through 11, 2013. An opening reception and announcement of awards will be held at the Convention Center on Friday, May 3, 2013. For more information about the North Charleston Arts Festival, the Wearable Art Exhibit and Pop Up Shop, or other exhibition opportunities, contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843)740-5854, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. Via: North Charleston Arts Festival

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