Recapping the Runway: Project IMA 2015
The show’s more outrageous pieces included new local design troupe Maison Pomme de Terre’s pastry-themed “Donut Wear It On Your Sleeve” ensemble.
If any doubt remained about Indy being home to a bourgeoning fashion community, Project IMA squashed it with a stiletto heel last night. Hundreds of the city’s best-dressed denizens lined up outside the museum’s Toby theater for not one, but two sold-out shows. As with the previous installments of the gala in 2008 and 2010, this year’s event pitted amateur and professional designers against one another, with a panel of judges—not to mention a vocal audience—evaluating their wares on the catwalk. And as with any fashion show, it was a mix of the stylish and outrageous (I’m looking at you, designer of the dress made from what looked like a child’s swimming pool). The three standouts were Greg Dugdale’s colorful nylon party dress, Nikki Blaine’s long brown dress with a high, feathered collar, and Margarita Mileva’s rubber band ensemble. Mileva ultimately took first place. Organized by IMA curatorial assistant Petra Slinkard and inspired by the museum’s current exhibition An American Legacy: Norell, Blass, Halston, and Sprouse, the fashion show served as an excellent reminder to see the upstairs exhibit before it closes Jan. 27.
Designers and fashionistas alike will flock to the Indianapolis Museum of Art on Oct. 11 for Project IMA, a runway couture show and contest featuring local and national talents. This year’s inspiration comes from four legendary designers whose work is currently on display at the museum: Norman Norell, Bill Blass, Roy Halston, and Stephen Sprouse. To get a sneak peek at the show, we caught up with one of this year’s contestants, Indiana native Jessica Wright.
