Is it fashion or art? It's both at KMAC Couture's annual fashion event. What to know
Hundreds of finisher medals from past Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathons, sheets of bubble wrap, coffee filters, gummy bear candies, and yards of human hair. If you guessed the list makes up a witch's potion, sorry — not quite.
These unusual and incongruent materials have each been elements in garments worn at the KMAC Couture, a wearable art runway show held annually in Louisville.
This year, the innovative experience will be held Saturday, April 16. Dozens of models wearing pieces of art will walk the runway as the show makes a triumphant return to its home under an enormous tent set up in the middle of Main Street in downtown Louisville. In 2020 amid the pandemic, the live runway event was replaced by "KMAC Couture: Star Stuff," a documentary film.
The 2022 live runway show will be held just steps from the front door of the KMAC Museum, 715 West Main St. The return to "normal" since the pandemic means audiences will once again be immersed in a high-energy fashion experience that explores the practice of art-making, fashion, and craft.
"KMAC Couture is a great party," Michelle Staggs, KMAC Museum executive director said. "It's the best party in Louisville."
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The contemporary art museum works to connect people to art and creative practice and has produced KMAC Couture since 2013. Proceeds from the event fund the museum's exhibitions, education, and outreach programs.
The new 2022 show is titled "KMAC Couture X," and will feature emerging and established artists, costumers, designers, and milliners from across the United States in an extraordinary presentation of original couture pieces of wearable art and conceptual fashion designs.
The fashion show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $125. And the party won't stop when the runway event concludes. Immediately after the fashion event, KMAC Museum throws a ticketed "after-party" from 10 p.m. to midnight. Tickets for the post fashion show soiree are $40 and include an open bar and snacks.
Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville.
KMAC Couture X
WHAT: "KMAC Couture X" will feature emerging and established artists, costumers, designers, and milliners in an extraordinary presentation of original couture pieces of wearable art and conceptual fashion designs. All ticket levels include access to an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, a swag bag, and entry to the KMAC Couture after-party, where guests will be invited into KMAC for snacks, drinks and dancing until midnight.
WHERE: KMAC, 715 West Main St.
WHEN: April 16. Pre-show cocktail hour 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. KMAC Couture Runway show. After-party immediately follows runway show
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours will be required for entry. All guests will also be required to wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking during the event.
COST: $125-$450. Purchase tickets at kmacmuseum.org/couture-tickets
REQUESTED ATTIRE: Shades of White/ Neutrals are requested to allow the garments in the show to pop.
MORE INFORMATION: All of the proceeds from KMAC Couture tickets, and the money raised during the event goes directly toward supporting KMAC. More details at kmacmuseum.org.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fashion and art merge at KMAC Couture X. Here's what to know
