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.
First dress created for 701 CCA residence
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