Sneak Peek of Discarded to Divine at de Young

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True to its name, Discarded to Divine transforms donated clothing into couture fashion. 

The 5th annual auction, Discarded to Divine, takes place at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, April 29, 2010. But starting tomorrow, April 9th, the de Young Museum is hosting a reception and free preview of this much-anticipated fashion event, which raises awareness and funds for the St. Vincent de Paul Society and their effort to support women who are victims of domestic violence. 

Highlights of this year’s Project Runway-esque event are items fashioned from charitable clothing donations, and inspired by the museums current exhibitions and collections: Andy Goldsworthy, Chiuly, King Tut and Amish Quilts. I got my own sneak preview while the creations were on display at Gensler‘s office. Inspired by the art of the de Young, it was a vivid patchwork of sweaters and shirts reconstructed into jackets and ensembles expressing the geometry of Amish quilts or the flash of King Tut’s tomb. Cari Borja’s Chihuly- inspired party dress has undulating frills that look like glass: 

Jill Pillot’s two-piece dress literally realized David Nash’s painting Rip and Cross Black Column:

 

Equally impressive is the work of design students, including fashion design student Laone Botshoma’s Dear Luba, that redefines the versatility of khaki pants into a stunning dress:

 

Many of this year’s home decor items are stunning silk-screens by design students, including Calli Beck’s chair Closer:

and Rachel Sansom’s pillow Nesting Ground:

Tomorrow’s event will be just a small preview of the nearly 60 garments, 23 home decor items and 22 accessories by new and established local designers, including Jay Nicolas Sario and Sweet P. (of Project Runway fame), Colleen Quen and Cari Borja. Click here to purchase tickets to Discarded to Divine’s live fashion show on the 29th.

 

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