If I had to describe the spectacle of Möda Provŏcateūr in one word, it would be avant-garde.
This fashion show is not your typical fashion show where models strategically walk the runway with a far off gaze, it was a full on performance.
Photo courtesy of Urbanite Runway
The show was split into many different themed segments, that were as diverse as they were creative. There was never a dull moment, and my eyes were constantly shifting back and forth in amazement at what was happening onstage. Every second captured your attention, as creativity and artistry burst at the seams.
It was a menagerie, a mish mash, a collision of fashion, music, dance, hairstyling and makeup, all lead by one common goal: raising awareness for the fight against HIV/AIDS through the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation.
What makes Möda an exception to the fashion show rule, was that there were no rules. Each segment featured a different local hair salon who had free reign to choose their theme and how to execute it. There were no restrictions on hair, makeup, fashion or anything, which lent its hand to a diverse show.
One segment, put on by The Industry Hair Studio, featured a Mad Max-esque theme, where models sported grungy makeup and armor like clothing, such as black football shoulder pads. Other models were dressed as fashionable human versions of mystic animals, such as a unicorn and a ram. One would never see this style of out-of-the-box fashion thinking at a typical runway show like in New York or Paris, which made many of the theme choices fascinating and set this show apart from the ordinary.
Photo courtesy of Urbanite Runway
Another great theme example follows a more traditional fashion style, but features great attention to small detail that elevates the artistry. The opening segment of the show, put on by Beauty Brands, was Beatles themed. This segment not only featured a great remix of the Beatles’ song ‘Come Together,’ it gave a sartorial nod to London and the style of that era.
While that reference is more direct, the artistic detail came in some of the garments that had the Fab Four’s faces and John Lennon’s iconic ‘Imagine’ portrait sketch, painted directly on the garment. This type of detail is what elevated the fashion in this segment, as an artist’s brushstroke could transform a basic garment into a symbol of the overall theme.
Photo courtesy of Urbanite Runway
One special part of the show for me, was when a moment for my multimedia fashion journalism blog, Urbanite Runway, came full circle. In the process of interviewing Monique Vallery, SAAF’s Associate Director of Development, for the video, I discovered that a woman who I had interviewed for my very first blog video was going to be showing her craft during one of the segments this year.
Now, let me tell you what this woman does. You know the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show that happens every year, where the models walk the runway wearing the infamous huge angel wings that everyone marvels at? Well, this woman makes wings just like those for her clients, who often are cosplayers.
When I stumbled upon her Etsy page many months ago, called The Crooked Feather, I too, was in awe of how beautiful her creations were and from that moment, I knew that she had to be my first video subject. Alexis’ talent was so clearly visible from that first day I discovered her company, and the sheer awe that I still had at Möda many months later seeing her elaborate winged creations walk the runway, made it that much more special.
Photo courtesy of Urbanite Runway
While Möda did put on a grand performance featuring fashion and entertainment, it also was dedicated in part to educating the audience about community efforts and HIV/AIDS awareness. With video testimonials from the clients that SAAF helps provide services for, Möda reminded the audience why the fashion show has served as an entertaining platform for education and awareness in the Tucson community for the past thirteen years.
One way fashion and community were combined at Möda was for a segment of the show called Project Möda, a Project Runway spinoff design competition among students from Flowing Wells High School. In this segment of the show, the students presented their garments in three different categories: Femme Lace, The Red Dress, and Re-Purposed with a Purpose. The audience then voted on one design that would win the overall award.
All of the garments were unique in their own way, which really showed the level of design skill and talent that these students have. My favorite of the three categories was the recycled materials one, which is exactly like the unconventional materials challenge that you see on Project Runway. The students created garments from a wide array of materials, such as Girl Scout cookie boxes, playing cards, and even dryer sheets, which was crowned the winning look and resembled a wedding gown. Seeing that dress come down the runway, I had no idea that it was made of dryer sheets, which highlights the purpose of a true unconventional materials garment, completely transforming the original item.
I found myself taking the time to look away from my camera, in order to actually see the detail of these unconventional garments. There were times where I was amazed at what I was even looking at. My thought processes were on overdrive as the garments came down the runway: ‘Are those Girl Scout cookies?!?!’ and ‘What is that?! Oh, Monopoly money! Cool!’
Photo courtesy of Urbanite Runway
Flowing Wells High School is well known in the Tucson fashion community for their fashion design classes, taught by Kimberly Lloyd, who teaches her students how to design and sew garments. I remember seeing Lloyd show her collection at last year’s Tucson Fashion Week and was so in awe of how much she must serve as an inspiration to her students. In a state where educationally taught fashion design skills are hard to come by in college, nonetheless in a highschool setting, that factor made these students’ designs all the more impressive.
Photo courtesy of Urbanite Runway
As I filmed the show for my blog video, I thought about the bigger purpose of Möda Provŏcateūr, and fashion, in general. Fashion is all about showing others who you are and expressing yourself creatively through style. Möda is all about using that sense of style, to the utmost of creative and expressive levels in order to give back to the community and help those in need. For all of the people that SAAF has helped through events like Möda, I would say that Tucson is very fortunate for this unique show of expression, indeed.
*Watch Maggie’s Urbanite Runway video of Möda Provŏcateūr 2016 here.
Follow Urbanite Runway for updates on new blog videos on Instagram and Twitter at @Urbanite_Runway.
