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Rachel Reichert studied fashion in London before returning to Ithaca to start her own fashion business. (Photo by Glynis Hart) |
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Soirée de Mode: An evening of fashion brings the runway to Ithaca
Glynis Hart
Managing Editor, Finger Lakes Community Newspapers
"I wanted to bring something fun and fashion oriented to Ithaca. I feel like that's something that's lacking in Ithaca, frankly."
- Megan Mae
Saturday night, July 31, at Wildfire's upstairs lounge, two local clothing designers, a makeup artist and stylist, an artist and a drag queen will collaborate to put on a night of fashion that will stretch people's idea of what Ithaca is all about. Megan Mae, artistic director of the Soirée de Mode (Evening of Fashion) says the key is local talent.
"The concept for me was finding a group of local designers and artists that haven't gotten the exposure they deserve," said Mae. The evening starts with a runway show exhibiting the designs of Susan Allen and Rachel Reichert. "Susan Allen is known for evening and fetish wear; the Fetish Ball is an event at the Haunt that combines burlesque and people dressing according to their fantasy. That's what people know her for, but she's able to do so much more."
"I love shiny," says Allen, who grew up in Trumansburg and got into fashioning and patterning at an early age. "So, I am currently working with a lot of stretch PVC vinyl. I created a few pieces for this show after seeing the models and designing just for them. Some of the clothes are very complex in pattern and construction, while others are simple, making this collection a mix of my skills and knowledge."
Rachel Reichert brings a different focus to her side of the show. "My whole collection for the show is in eco-fabrics," said Reichert, displaying a black and white evening dress made of hemp silk. The heavy, soft fabric looks like linen but feels soft and liquid, like rayon. Reichert attended fashion school in Central St. Martin's College of Art & Design in London; after six years in London, she returned to Ithaca with the aim of starting her own fashion business. Currently she has a studio above Maté Factor, where two headless mannequins pose in outfits made entirely of duct tape. She buys eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton, bamboo fabrics and tencel (made from wood pulp cellulose), online. "Because of the fabrics, this collection is a little more expensive."
"I knew Rachel years ago when she was making duct tape roses," said Mae. "To see the progress of her work is very exciting. It's very 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' now, very chic and sophisticated, although she still keeps her edge. She's making things that are realistic to wear."
Mae, who will be making up the models and doing their hair, will also be showing some of her handmade hair ornaments. "My creations are all one-of-a-kind cruelty free pieces using feathers," she said. "Birds shed enough feathers, there's no need for them to be killed for them."
She finds feathers in a variety of ways, including farmers and people who keep peacocks and other birds. Miss Mae's Creations are on sale at Avanti in Ithaca and at Regalo in Louisville, Ky. In the past she has done a lot of work with horns and elaborate headpieces, including working with Guy Tedisco for the DuMante, a pre-Kentucky Derby event.
A former model, Mae says, "The face is my favorite canvas, because you're not only able to express yourself through someone's natural features, but also show them a side of themselves that maybe they hadn't seen. I like working with real people who maybe haven't stepped out of their shell, or haven't realized with a very little color or different shades they can express a mood."
Local artist Sam Heineman will have his work on display, DJ D Systemizer will be providing the music, and the runway show will be followed by a special guest performance by Miss Kokoa Chanel.
"Traditionally he (Kokoa) does drag shows," said Mae. "Everything from more comedy based to singing and dancing. When you see a man do a backflip and land well in six-inch heels, you know he's got talent." Will he do a back flip Saturday night? "I don't know," she laughed, "but he will be entertaining."
Theresa from Madeline's is donating desserts, and Wildfire, of course, will be serving. The show is restricted to 21 and up, admission is $8 at the door, and one quarter of profits will be donated to the Tompkins County SPCA.
"Everyone involved has volunteered freely to do everything with the understanding that they may not get more than the exposure," said Mae, who is already wondering if the space will be big enough. "We haven't even done this one, and people are wondering when we're going to do it again."
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