Project IMA: Cutting Loose

Check out one-of-a-kind creations from local, regional and national artists and fashion designers in this signature runway show. Presented in conjunction with the IMA’s current exhibition, Cutting-Edge Fashion: Recent Acquisitions, this year’s theme encourages designers to “cut loose” from the past and look to the future with designs that are experiential and inventive. Pattern Magazine and the IMA Fashion Arts Society are promotional sponsors for this event.

Participating designers include:

Rachel Anderson— With a background as an apparel patternmaker, merchandiser and bridal and eveningwear designer, Anderson will showcase Klein’s Blue, a garment inspired by Stephen Sprouse.
Beth Bennett— A 25-year veteran in clothing, costume and bridal gown design, Bennett will showcase a coat romper, titled Romp, inspired by works from Zandra Rhodes and Claire McCardell.
Nikki Blaine Couture— Blaine, an Indianapolis native, is the winner of multiple awards among the local fashion community and will present Nichiwa, which explores the relationship between Asian cultures and nature.  
Nico Camargo— An avid consumer of scientific and technological news, Camargo will share a design inspired by futuristic concepts and Space Age fashion titled Flying Dress 1.
Cloud Preaser— The collaboration of Ian Kime and Heidi Wieland, Cloud Preaser will showcase Float, a two-piece evening dress created from relics of a former art performance, including plastic inflatables, vinyl, Velcro and a hand-crafted copper wire hoop.
Greg Dugdale— Dugdale will present Untitled, a Westwood-inspired design created by using a heat setting technique.
Hop Esser— A Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist, Esser will showcase two pieces: Bird Shoes, a metaphor for stability and struggle, and Key Dress, a garment made of antique keys that speaks to the role of memory, home and the remnants we carry throughout our lives.
Helen Koo & Manilette Uy— As members of the Fashion Design and Technology Lab (FT Lab) in Design at the University of California, Davis, Koo and Uy will showcase The Real Beauty of Body, a design infused with elements of technology.
Grace Lee-Lim & partner— Inspired by society’s perception of beauty in the 19th-century compared to modern times, Lee-Lim will share Kathleen Dress, playing off of the unconventional proportions and shapes seen in the work of Comme des Garcons.  
Red Ribbon Designs— The new and growing design company Red Ribbon Designs presents Show Me Your Bones, a gown created from x-ray printed silk georgette panels and accompanied by a leather coat, Paris top hat and custom heels.
Maison Pomme de Terre— The new family-run boutique and start-up design troupe created exclusively for Project IMA will showcase the quirky The “Donut Wear It On Your Sleeve” Ensemble, made entirely by hand from recycled materials.
Alyssa Marcheleta— Known as AnchoredLotus, up and coming designer Marcheleta will share an outfit designed to go from straight from bed to the office: Cutting Loose of Morning Routine.
Tendai Mazorodze— Born and raised in Zimbabwe and a recent graduate from The Art Institute of Indianapolis, Mazorodze will present Lunar Eclipse: Earth, a geometric white jumper and high-collared wide coat ensemble.
Cierra McNeal— A street-wear designer and fashion design student at Indiana University, McNeal will share a music-inspired creation, CC-1.
Colleen Moretz— Moretz, who kicked off her fashion career as the designer and owner of Colleen’s Couture, will showcase a piece inspired by 18th-century fashion titled Transparente Pannier.
Sallie Pasquinelli— With a passion for Assemblage, Chicago-based Pasquinelli will present Another Beautiful World.
Vestonia Richardson— Richardson, a custom fashion design for women and children’s wear, will present Love, a cocktail dress with heart-shaped cut outs.
Yemisi Sanni— A self-taught designer and native of the Yorùbá tribe in Lagos, Nigeria, Sanni will present Àw?n ?m? Yorùbá in Diaspora, a piece inspired by her cultural heritage. 
Theresa Winge— Winge will showcase Chute, a gown with a train designed from a parachute, inspired by Norma Kamali’s Pantsuit, “Parachute” Collection.