An unknown criminal still walks the streets after leaving last year’s Moscowrade Fashion Show with a number of stolen garment designs. No motive has yet been found for that baffling crime.
Co-director of the Moscowrade Fashion Show Erika Iiams said that won’t be repeated this year, however.
Co-directors Paige Hunt and Iiams are recruiting designers, artists and dancers — specifically pointe ballerinas — to participate in this year’s Moscowrade Fashion Show to be held at 7 p.m., April 5 at Ambassador Auto Service Inc.
According to Hunt, there is no limit on the amount of designers chosen, and designers may submit any number of garments they choose.
Hunt said there are no extensive qualifications needed to be a designer or model for the show. Applicants should be over the age of 18 and be a member of the community, she said. According to Hunt, applications will be available on The Moscowrade Facebook page and in University of Idaho Niccolls Building, Room 303. Designer applications, submitted with a picture of the garment, are due by March 28 at Niccolls, Room 303.
The design name and facts about the costume, which will be announced during the show, are required in the application.
Moscowrade is a theme-based fashion show where designers showcase their garments with a model. This year’s theme is dubbed extravaganza.
Hunt said the over-the-top, extravagant theme is broad enough to incorporate multiple subjects.
“(Garments) could be anything from ‘Phantom of the Opera’ to a garment having leaves all over it,” Hunt said.
UI’s Body Conscious chapter will coordinate and organize the event’s models. Body Con is a UI club focused on fashion, event planning, photography, public relations and journalism.
Hunt said the models should wear masks with their outfits. Hunt said the masks will shift the focus away from the model who would otherwise distract the audience and onto the garment — which is what the competition will be based on.
“I want the audience to focus more on the design and the garment, less (on) the person themselves,” Hunt said.
Garments in the show will be entered in a contest with three prizes: judge’s choice, best up-cycle and most extravagant.
Tickets for Moscowrade will cost $12 for the public and $10 for UI students. The event will begin with hors d’oeuvres, a wine and brewery tasting and an art gallery provided by local artists. UI Art and Design Program student works will be featured before the show in a gallery.
Russ Wheelhouse, co-founder of the Moscowrade Fashion Show, will begin the show with a short announcement and introduction.
Garments will be showcased on the runway at 8 p.m. While judges are tallying points after the show, opera singers from the music department and dancers will entertain the audience.
Profits from Moscowrade will be donated to Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse. ATVP provides 24-hour emergency services to sexual violence victims and survivors. ATVP has been a part of the Moscowrade since the fashion show started four years ago.
According to Iiams, approximately $2,000 is usually raised from each Moscowrade fashion show.
Moscowrade has hosted after shows in the past, but due to attendees leaving elsewhere to celebrate, Iiams said, directors have decided not to host one this year.
Jake Smith can be reached at [email protected]