Four-day event draws new and returning couture creators to the runway and the showroom
Jackson Hole, Wyoming – June tbd, 2019 – The live runway fashion show at the Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale’s Opening Preview Party will feature 18 different juried designers this year, from all around the country – each with a unique story and collection to share with guests on Thursday, September 5, 2019. A lively gala to see and be seen in Jackson Hole, the Western Design Opening Preview Party gives guests a first look at the variety of exciting Western-inspired couture showcased and available for purchase at the event. The annual gala is the kick-off for the Western Design Exhibit + Sale, a four-day event uniting artists, designers, collectors and shoppers all with a passion for the West and showcasing the finest in American craft for home design and fashion, in styles from cowboy to contemporary, at the Snow King Center from September 5 – 8, 2019.
Several returning and new-to-the-show designers will present their pieces on the runway and then exhibit their work in the showroom along with other art-to-wear artists showcasing handmade pieces in the form of jackets, wraps, clothing, custom boots, hats, handbags and more – all available for purchase.
Art-to-wear fashion hitting the runway this year includes incredible chaps from Whoa Pony Chaps, handmade by leather artisan and ranch boss Katy Wilkinson, who currently lives in Yellowstone National Park and has 30 years of working with horses – all providing inspiration for her beautifully detailed pieces for adults and kids.
Other returning designers include the always popular Andreas Tsagas and a line from A. Tsagas Designs whose inspiration comes from the 70s, rock and roll and rodeo queens. Born in Greece, Tsagas has been creating handmade one-of-a-kind fur and leather pieces for over 30 years. Also returning to the runway this year is Gossamer Wings Santa Fe by Barbara Grimes, who specializes in elaborate beadwork on suede, leather and shearling garments for both women and men. Working in Santa Fe, New Mexico, since 1995, Grimes attributes her love of beadwork and skins to her Cherokee heritage. And the kids from the Jackson Hole Art Association will take to the stage again with personally created designs they’ve been working on for months, proudly modeling their creative pieces for the crowd.
L to R: Examples of fashion designs from Coyote Couture; Living and Dyeing; and Misty M Designs.
From Colorado, Coyote Couture returns to the fashion show with a collection inspired by the natural beauty of the wild coyote in beautiful wearable pieces. And California’s Living and Dyeing by Michelle Hoffee reveals designs created from slow-cloth techniques, using hand embroidery and Japanese-inspired nuno felting to sculpt unique natural-fibers clothing. New from California, Misty McCollum of Misty M Designs will showcase her cool-girl contemporary hide handbags and clutches.
Other new designers to the runway and show this year include 1 Hide Bags from New Orleans; Crown & Brim, featuring custom hats made in Jackson Hole; Ewka, with hand-painted pieces from Santa Fe; and Travel Clothing by Half Moon, with sustainable and stylish wool capes, cloaks and coats from Colorado.
Western Design tickets are $15 for an Exhibit + Sale day pass; VIP entry and reserved seating at the Opening Preview Party + Fashion Show is available for $125 per person; $50 general admission. All tickets include open bars or daily happy hours.
About the Western Design Exhibit + Sale:
The 27th annual Western Design Exhibit + Sale is a four-day,
multimillion-dollar event that brings together makers, collectors, interior
designers, architects and fashion designers with a love of the West. The
Western Design Conference was founded 27 years ago in Cody, Wyo., to promote
contemporary artists working in historical American craft methods. The Western
Design Exhibit + Sale moved to Jackson Hole, Wyo., in 2007; Allison Merritt
continues the strong commitment to Western arts in Wyoming while expanding the
reach of the show. Additional information on the Western Design Exhibit + Sale,
including schedules and tickets, is available at www.westerndesignconference.com and
on Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter @WesternDesign.
Media Contact: Amy Stark, Word PR + Marketing, [email protected], 307.734.5335
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