Fashion feels the force

Fashion and art reunite this month at Culture Candy’s second annual Uncommon Thread Wearable Art Show. Last year more than a thousand attendees reveled in this inventive mix of media at the Ephemeral Gallery in Mid City. This year Uncommon Thread moves to the Louisiana State Museum on Oct. 18. The show begins at 8 p.m. with a movement performance choreographed by Micaela Marchand Coner set to music by DJ OttO and the LSU Gospel Choir. Also new to Uncommon Thread is an overall theme tying the myriad ensembles together. From “force of nature” to “May the Force be with you,” artists will explore the term and the concept of “force” as a leitmotif for their work. Whether last year’s huge crowds came out of a love for design, a passion for fashion or just to support a friend, wearable art has been the underground art talk of the town in the twelve months since. The event even earned national recognition when Fiberarts magazine profiled Uncommon Thread and its founder, Erin Rolfs, who doubles as executive director of Culture Candy.

Despite the numbers and attention, Uncommon Thread is still very much a grassroots endeavor. Ariadne Doyle was one of dozens of participating artists last fall but has stepped up to become the event coordinator for 2008. She spent all summer brainstorming fundraising possibilities and added features for the upcoming event. New attractions like wearable art for kids will allow the whole family to enjoy Uncommon Thread. Organizers will keep youngsters occupied and making their own outfits while parents enjoy the show. For Doyle, leading such a massive undertaking has been an eye-opening and rewarding experience. She’s learned a lot, she says, even from the countless planning meetings. “It’s kind of fun, like having get-together parties,” Doyle says. “It’s the excitement of building up to the show.” culturecandy.org