On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Vessel Gallery opened up guests to an elegant evening with a string quartet at a spacious venue, housing artworks by 11 different artists working under one major theme: the human form and humanity.
Just behind the black curtain in the back of the gallery, stylist and Creative Director Tiffany Stewart assisted models, makeup artists, and hair stylists in getting ready for their latest fashion production, Underground Runway’s “Civilized.”
“Civilized” is the third installment of The Campanil‘s coverage of Underground Runway’s work. This show was a part of Oakland Art Murmur’s Third Thursdays, a local event where art galleries all along 25th St. between Telegraph and Broadway would stay open late on every third Thursday of the month.
“I love art and I love fashion,” Stewart said. “Art is a part of fashion to me.”
According to Stewart, the concept of her fashion show was set to the tone of her favorite Oakland art gallery, Vessel Gallery. She tied the idea of the human form and the concept of humanities into her show by considering what fashion means to humanity, while also keeping in mind that their clothes have to be wearable for fall.
Lonnie Lee, the founder, curator and director of the art exhibit “Vessel 9.5 – Vessel as the Human Form: Humanity,” hosted the event in support of Stewart and Underground Runway. According to Lee, she rented out the space for special events.
“The idea of fashion in this particular show [is that] we’re looking at the human form and figuration,” Lee said. “Fashion is on top of figuration and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for everyone.”
The autumnal color palette, according to Lee, successfully worked in tune with the surrounding art pieces in her exhibit. The sleek and simple cut of the coats and pants is aligned with what Lee’s idea of humanity and being civilized means: structure.
Visitors would first look at sculptures and paintings in the gallery and then, after seeing the form of a certain peacoat or other styles showcased at “Civilized,” would make an immediate artistic connection between the two.
“Humanity is thinking about one another and our placement of our energy,” Lee said. “It’s how one holds themselves.”
In contrast to the simple color and composition of the outfits, the hair and makeup artists topped off each look with bright colors and wild hair styles.
The audience’s favorite look, and also mine, was the red coat with the maroon tights and black loafers (pictured below).
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