September 12th, 2012 
The Smithsonian American Art Museum will present the American debut of A Dress to Change the World, a co-ed couture collection designed by artist Jeff Garner to honor the late Princess Grace at the Renwick Gallery on September 22. Guests will enjoy a pre-show sparkling wine toast and a catwalk show set to live music by Eric Heatherly and Sovereign in the Grand Salon. Garner will close out the evening with remarks followed by a dessert reception, where guests can mingle with other fashion-forward Washingtonians.
(Photo Credit: goldenhollywoodera.com)
Garner, a 40 under 40 artist—who works under the Prophetik label—is known for creating distinctive fashions inspired by the dressmakers of the Civil War era and his southern home of Franklin, Tenn. His organic, sustainable garments are found in several high-end boutiques across the United States, including Fred Segal in Santa Monica. He has dressed celebrities like Esperanza Spalding and Kings of Leon and was honored as London Fashion Week’s “2010 Eco Men’s Designer of the Year.”
A Dress to Change the World will have its world premiere at the Salle Empire – Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo during the 30th anniversary royal tribute, Grace, A Symbol of Change, an event organized by the Ladies and The City Institute, a charity dedicated to helping NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) affect “Smart Change” through research, empowerment and synergy.
All proceeds from ticket sales will help the museum acquire works from artists featured in 40 under 40: Craft Futures, an exhibit featuring 40 artists, born since 1972, the year that the Renwick Gallery was established. The gallery showcases the evolution of art in traditional media such as ceramics and metalwork, as well as the disciplines of sculpture, industrial design, installation art, fashion design, sustainable manufacturing, and mathematics.
WHEN: Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 8-10 p.m.
Jeff Garner’s grandmother’s quilt makes up this corset with hemp silk sleeves and boiled wool jodhpur pants, Freemason’s Hall London Fashion Week, February 18th, 2011. Photo courtesy of Jeff Garner.
WHERE:
Renwick Gallery/American Art
1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006
Ph. 202-633-7970
TICKETS: $100, available online.
