Preparations for the Carbondale Arts Fashion Show, formerly known as Green Is The New Black Fashion Extravaganza, are underway. And it’s no surprise that tickets are already sold out. Dancers are tightening their routines and models are rehearsing their walks down the runway to showcase sustainable fashions created by local designers. The show runs March 6-8, from 6 to 8pm nightly, at the Carbondale Rec Center.
“Every year, we work … to make it different and fresh, which isn’t always easy,” Director Amy Kimberly told The Sopris Sun. “There’s some things that people always expect, but we always try to surprise people as well.”
This year’s theme, “Camera Obscura,” explores elements of running visuals reminiscent of “film noir” — a cinematic take popular in the mid 20th century.
“We usually look at the world around us and connect what’s going on above and beyond the idea of sustainable fashion, which is at the heart and soul of the show,” she continued. “A couple of years ago, Morgan Williams suggested film noir as a path to go down. And we finally felt life is a little film noir-ish now, and it might be fun to go on this more theatrical journey.”
The creative team, consisting of Kimberly, Creative Director Laura Stover and Director of Dance Meagan Londy Shapiro, is juggling 50 models, almost a dozen dancers and 15 other volunteers who are working tirelessly to help bring the vision to the stage.
This year, “The fashion show is like going to Meow Wolf in that there’s this story that connects it. You can follow that story, should you choose, or you can go on your own little journey into each of the different rooms which have a lot of surprise and delight,” Kimberly shared.
Stover expressed that she is looking forward to seeing how the show will come to life, considering the wide and diverse range of talented participants.
“We have all sizes, all ages and all kinds of people. That’s the best part! The audience loves it, and I love it,” Stover asserted. “It’s just really fascinating and beautiful to watch how they transform on the stage and the quirks they bring … Not everyone’s trained to walk seriously down the runway, and that’s what’s really magical about it.”
Stover said this is her favorite project every year.
“I don’t feel like I get to have this level of creativity and self-expression anywhere else in my life,” she said. “It’s important to me. And I know a lot of the designers feel the same way, as well as the dancers, models and choreographers. I think it’s special because you can be wild and do anything at this show.”
Shapiro said she is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a tight-knit community and its outpouring of creativity.
“I honestly have to pinch myself knowing I get to do this. I love working with Laura and Amy and I think it’s an incredible way to spend winter. Winter is cold and the days are short. The fact that when the sun goes down I go into rehearsals and move and sweat and make stuff is great for me,” she stated.
For more on the Carbondale Arts Fashion Show, visit www.carbondalearts.com