Art Imitates Fashion at the Henry on Saturday

A New Look Fashion Show
2 p.m. Aug. 4
Henry Art Gallery, Sculpture Court
15th Ave. NE and NE 41st St.
(206) 543-2280
Free admission

Seattle style may always be trimmed in fleece, but artistry is ubiquitous here; and the Henry Art Gallery's fashion show, based on artist Josiah McElheny's exhibition "An Historical Anecdote About Fashion" (pictured above), will be art imitating fashion imitating art imitating fashion at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Inspired by his "fascination with the complex ways ideas in one field of culture influence those in others," McElheny invented a narrative about a Venice glass design company, whose glassblowers based the shapes of their vases on the 1940s haute couture fashions worn by the factory owner's wife. McElheny then created his glass exhibit based on the story. The voluptuous glassworks on display in the Henry's Viewfinder exhibit are definitely worth checking out before heading to the show in the Sculpture Court.

"The female figure is such a beautiful piece of artwork itself, let alone the skirts and corsets that make it even better," said Pretty Parlor owner and designer Anna "Banana" Lange, who will be showing vintage and vintage-inspired pieces from her shop at the event; she picked designs inspired by McElheny's exhibit but said that the pieces will still have her own creative stamp on them. The show will also feature Suzabelle and street-wear designer Ruffeo Hearts 'Lil Snotty.

I'm so there. Check out Thread Count this weekend after the show for the skinny on what went down.