Myth busters

The ever-metamorphic beast that is fashion has set its eyes on Baton Rouge at this year’s UncommonThread wearable art fashion show Dec. 12. This year’s artists are happily challenged with the theme Cryptozoology, the study and search of mythical creatures who exist in culture and folklore, but without physical proof. Picture yetis, manticores, unicorns, griffins and chupacabras made beautifully manifest, gliding down the runway. Erin Rolfs, founder of the show and executive director of arts non-profit Culture Candy, liked the idea of artists taking an animalistic concept and making mythical creatures come to fashionable life.

Spectators will see some sights familiar from past years, like captivating choreography from the Of Moving Color dancers, but will witness some new twists like the rollicking sounds of DJ OttO, and all of the rich, historic splendor of the Old State Capitol. For the first time, paid seating is available, a fact that might excite those who got stuck behind the massive throng of spectators last year and have some extra coin to drop. Twenty dollars snags a seat in the upper chambers of the old Capitol—where the show starts and ends—access to an open bar, and most importantly, an in-your-face view of these wild textiles. Of course there will be free standing room access, but on a first come, first served basis.

With support from the City of Baton Rouge and the Arts Council, UncommonThread is a nationally recognized venture, seeing submissions from all over the country. Juror Liz Good, senior editor of Fiber Arts magazine, is a perfect fit for such a niche contest. Artists are required to create full garments, and although they can use purchased fabrics, they are encouraged to use alternative materials or even make their own.

If you love looking at wild fashion, supporting the local art scene, seeing and being seen, UncommonThread’s Cryptozoology show. It’s where the wild things are. culturecandy.org