Last night I attended an event in downtown Phoenix. The Alternative Fashion Society showcased 15 up-and-coming Phoenix designers in a show called Madame Trapeze, and I was fortunate enough to have been invited. We were there to support my BFF's nephew and daughter who were involved in the show, and hey, when your kids actually want you to show up to something, you go. Let me just say it's been a loooong time since I've done anything this late, loud, and downtown.
Promoter
Jen Deveroux along with Alekzander Shaw and Nelson Hawks produced a feast for the eyes, and DJ tricky t had the place thumping with a non-stop mix of fresh and vintage dance and alt tracks. The venue was well managed, clean and the crowd, cool. Onstage before and during the show, a handful of local artists worked on canvases, and an array of fine art stood as a backdrop. I was very impressed with all of the art exhibited, almost as impressed as seeing the works-in-progress develop right before my eyes, throughout the show.
Nyla the High Pimptress (a.k.a. Myryka, my amazing former bellydance teacher) entertained the crowd pre- and during the show with sultry twists on the circular trapeze.
As for the fashion, what can I say - it's definitely
alternative. Most of it is some sort of bedroom wear/lingerie, and very sexy if you have the body to pull it off, which most of these girls (and guys) did. Though alternative boudoir and costume lines like
Dolls R'nt Dead,
Missconstrued, and
Hell on Heels definitely took center stage, there were a few exceptions. Notably, a street/skate line called
Noble Savage, custom couture line
Looks Good Anya,
Robot Rowboat,
HausofStardust, the much-talked-about
Kelly Calabrese, and a line of latex fashion that I could see Katy Perry and Nikki Minaj (or maybe that girl in
50 Shades of Gray) fighting over,
Vital Vein.
Here are some photos, click on one to see a slideshow.
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| vital vein |
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| vital vein |
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| vital vein |
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| vital vein |
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| hell on heels couture |
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| hell on heels couture |
| this model (above) flipped me off with a flourish, which I thought was pretty cool,and seemed in character for her since the back of her legs are tattooed"Fuck" and "You"I say stick to your guns,consistency is admirable. |
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| kelly calabrese |
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| dolls r'nt dead |
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| dolls r'nt dead |
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| looks good an-ya |
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| looks good an-ya |
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| noble savage |
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| noble savage |
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| noble savage |
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| noble savage |
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| noble savage, the designer |
There were many more, 15 designers in all, which is way too much for a little suburban horse blogger like me to keep track of (although I did feel pretty badass in the press pit with my notebook and auto-focus camera). All I can say is, if you are looking for fun in Phoenix, don't mind being out late, and are open-minded, check out an Alternative Fashion Society show. The last thing you will be is bored.
And how about these posters? Shout out to the graphic designer.
If you were a part of this event and would like me to add credits to any of the above photos, please comment below, I will be glad to accommodate.
Live an artful life.
The End
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| kelly calabrese |
