This August, the Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC) once again transformed its stage into a runway where imagination took center stage. The 19th annual Wearable ART fashion show, themed Blurred, celebrated the space where art and fashion collide. From sculptural balloon gowns to recycled couture, the evening blurred the lines between clothing, performance, and fine art.
As a photographer, I live for these moments—when creativity steps beyond the canvas and becomes something alive, something wearable. This year’s show was an unforgettable mix of bold statements, whimsical fantasy, and technical mastery, and I’m so excited that Haley invited me out to photograph her creations, which meant I was able to photograph part of the runway show and some photos of her work backstage.
The Vision Behind Blurred
Every year, Wearable ART challenges designers to reimagine what fashion can be. The 2025 theme, Blurred, invited artists to explore boundaries—between art and fashion, sustainability and extravagance, humor and elegance.
The lineup featured an incredible range of talent, including:
- Haley Damon – balloon couture sculptor bringing ephemeral whimsy to life.
- Vanessa Froehling – slow-fashion designer blending classic silhouettes with modern textures.
- Rya DeMulder – multidisciplinary artist creating immersive, sustainable wearable pieces.
- Neva “the Diva” Durham – makeup, body paint, and special effects woven into high-fashion fantasy.
- Jhordyn T. Innocent (Takumi Poncho) – abstract, tech-inspired designs with spray paint and IR flocking.
- Talia Craig – botanical artistry, fusing fashion and flowers through her label Petunia’s.
- Josey Prior – chainmail couture inspired by the elements and natural forms.
- Rogerio Martinn – Brazilian designer using recyclable materials to craft bold, socially conscious fashion.
- Cindy Linville & Bay to Bay Collective – collaborative creations that transformed discarded materials into jaw-dropping ensembles.
Each artist brought their own interpretation of Blurred, from surrealist gowns to wearable sculptures that challenged gravity itself.
Photographing the Fusion of Art and Fashion
What I love most about photographing Wearable ART 19 is the energy—it’s not just a runway show, it’s performance art. Theatrical lighting, live music, and dramatic staging make every piece feel like a moving artwork. Capturing these designs means paying attention not only to details in fabric and construction, but also to the emotion they evoke as models brought them to life.
From avant-garde couture to whimsical recycled creations, each design demanded to be documented as more than fashion—it was storytelling in motion.
A Night of Community and Creativity
This show isn’t just about fashion; it’s about community. The Dunedin Fine Art Center has made Wearable ART one of Florida’s most anticipated art events, bringing together artists, photographers, volunteers, and audiences who are hungry for creative expression.
The night began with a pre-party at DFAC, continued with the full runway experience at the Community Center, and wrapped up with an afterglow party and a late-night dance celebration at Blur Nightclub. It was truly a night where creativity didn’t just walk the runway—it filled the whole city of Dunedin.
Wearable ART 19: Blurred was more than a fashion show—it was a reminder that art doesn’t always hang on walls. Sometimes it moves, dances, and glitters under stage lights. Sometimes it’s sewn, sculpted, painted, or grown. And when you’re lucky enough to be in the room, you feel that spark of wonder that makes art unforgettable.
✨ Which design from this year’s show was your favorite? Contact me on social media and I’d love to hear which creations inspired you most!
