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Thirteen stripes — seven red, six white — and a swatch of navy blue bearing 50 white stars adorn the narrow catwalk. The runway does not display the creative work of a few limited designers eager to share their stylistic voices for the upcoming season. There are no flashing cameras, no pounding music and no chaos. More than 30 contemporary designers have joined to echo a single bold message: make fashion American.
Created in collaboration with director James Belzer’s latest documentary, "Make it in America: Empowering Global Fashion," the Phoenix Art Museum has created "Fashioned in America," a completely immersive exhibit that creatively unites the best American skill and emphasizes the importance of energizing domestic design and manufacturing.
Highlighting pieces of A-list designers such as Monique Lhuillier, Nanette Lepore, Ralph Rucci and Oscar de la Renta, "Fashioned in America" explores the factors that changed the once strictly domestic manufacturing industry into the now global fashion behemoth.
Make It In America: Empowering Global Fashion - Trailer from James Belzer on Vimeo.
PAM's Curator of Fashion Design Dennita Sewell said the exhibit aims to draw more attention to manufactured items' origins.
“It was 20 – 30 years process where the U.S. lost all its factories and gave up on that understanding of what we need to be proficient," she said. “In this process, we’re just trying to inspire people to think about the production.”
Starting in the '80s with the Crafted with Pride initiative, an increasing number of consumers desired to know where the clothes and products they purchase were made.
The modern fashion industry has developed toward disposable fast fashion, Belzer said.
"Through this exhibit, we attempt to proposition people to explore quality over quantity, because in the long, run the more cheaper can end up more expensive,” he said.
This unique exhibit offers audiences an opportunity to connect with fashion beyond the pages of magazines, while sparking curiosity and conversations around the globe about the future of fashion. With live documentary showings of Belzer’s new film, fashion samples and educational seminars exploring all angles of fashion, this is sure to be a fun and thought provoking event visitors of all ages will enjoy.
If You Go:
What: "Fashioned in America"
When: On display until March 15
Where: The Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave.
Reach the reporter at oprichar@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @OliviaRichard1
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