Festival Of Arts Fashion Show Sees Stunning Designs

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Festival of Arts’ annual Festival Runway Fashion Show commenced on Sunday, Aug. 18, treating guests to a night of extraordinary creativity, sustainability and innovation.

This year, the festival’s runway show organizers asked guests to bring gently-used professional attire to donate to Working Wardrobes in exchange for free admission.

The response, organizers said, was overwhelming and led to overflowing bins and racks at the donation table.

Entries were scored by a panel of three judges spanning four categories, while nearly 400 guests cast their votes for the “People’s Choice Award.”

“We want to thank all the extraordinary artists who took part in the runway competition this weekend. The original, one-of-a-kind ensembles showcased by the Festival artists are truly incredible,” Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing/PR and Merchandising at the Festival of Arts, said in a news release. “We are also deeply grateful to everyone who donated clothing to support Working Wardrobes, helping make this event not just a celebration of art, but also of community spirit.”

The 2024 Festival Runway Fashion Show winners include:

• Printmaker Anne Moore was awarded for “Most Creative Concept” for her design, “Breakfast at Tea-fany’s,” a gown adorned with 312 tea bag covers, combining high tea elegance with artistic flair.

• Glass artist Cody Nicely received the award for “Most Exciting Ensemble Inspired by a Fashion Designer” for his mermaid-shaped skirt, crafted from hand-dyed CDs, beach trash, and fishing line, reflecting environmental awareness.

• Painter Elizabeth McGhee won “Most Innovative Use of Materials” with her whimsical dress made entirely of recycled socks, a playful nod to ’80s and ’90s prom dresses.

• Painter Nancy Swan was honored with “Most Glamorous and Elegant Red Carpet Worthy Creation” and the “People’s Choice Award” for her tribute to Edith Head, featuring a dress constructed from newspapers, trash bags, and bubble wrap, representing fashion silhouettes from the 1800s to 2020s.

In addition to the winning artists, several others showcased their creative couture.

Linda Potichke, a fine art jeweler at the Festival, designed a breathable summer outfit made from fiberglass screen, luggage strapping, and repurposed trim, ensuring comfort in the summer heat.

Rowan Foley, a drawing artist, translated her vision into a traditional Japanese jūnihitoe, blending historical tradition with modern artistry using tissue and origami paper.

Jeweler Luciano Bortone addressed plastic waste by crafting a skirt from over 100 recycled plastic bags, transforming discarded items into a striking fashion statement.