“Free-spirited, wild nonconformists [are who] you see in Asheville,” says sustainable jewelry designer Amber Hatchett. It’s a lifestyle that both influences her work and inspired a bohemian-styled fashion. That event — Catching Dreams — takes over downtown Asheville’s historic Masonic Temple on Saturday, Aug. 29.
This fashion show will be one of the largest productions held at the temple since it began hosting special events. The Hatchett Creative Group — Hatchett and her mother, Darlene Hatchett, a salvage artist — hopes to bring awareness to the temple’s new role as an events venue. The building, which dates to 1913, will use profits from such happenings to continue its restoration projects.
The Hatchetts reached out to local clothing and jewelry designers and asked them to create a bohemian fashion line — think earth-toned, flowing and detailed — of four-to-six looks. One or two of each designer’s creations will be paired up with the work of local jewelry artists and companies, including Amber Hatchett Designs, Tracey McBride, Amy Day Dougherty of Nebula Beauty Lab, Patti Byrd of Feather’Root Artistry, Caroline Yarborough of Caro Designs, Megan Megan Escalante of The East Western, Elementality and Flora Asheville.
Clothing designers include Sarah Lambert of Uber Kio, Elise Olson of On the Inside, Erin Hoffman of Airweaver Apparel, Rachel Weisberg of RW by Rachel Weisberg, Royal Peasantry, Rebecca McClure Freeman of House of Fabric, Kati Foster of KatDog Couture, Charles Josef, and R. Brooke Priddy of Ship to Shore, who will showcase the final look. “We really want to involve as much of the community as possible,” says Amber.
Artist Robin Plemmons will be the emcee for the fashion show, held in the temple’s theater. That room features century-old tapestries and backdrops, along with the contemporary addition of dream catchers, tree branches and large crystals in various shades of white provided by local gallery Enter the Earth. Balcony seating, floor seating and customized tepees and tents (seating groups of 3-4) add to the ambiance.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a marketplace including boho-styled hair braiding, henna tattoos and nail art. Vendors plan to sell items such as animal skulls, accessories, home décor, art and more, and runway designs will be available for purchase. Catching Dreams not only showcases local fashion but intends to bring awareness to the Montford Park Players — who use the Masonic Temple’s theater during their winter season. The local theater company will receive 10 percent of all beer and wine sales from the fashion event.
WHAT: Catching Dreams Bohemian Fashion Show
WHERE: The Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 29, 5:30 shopping, 7-10 pm. show. $15 floor and balcony/$125 private tepees. avl.mx/1ar
Photographer: Elizabeth Hasenmyer of Almond Leaf Studios
Videographer: David Hasenmyer of Almond Leaf Studios
Model: Casey Puhr
Hair Stylist: Amy Day Dougherty of Nebula Beauty Lab
Makeup Artist: Joanna Ferree of Powder Me Pretty
Designers: Elise Olson of On The Inside, Erin Hoffman of Airweaver Apparel, Danielle Miller of Royal Peasantry
Jewelry Designer: Amber Hatchett Designs
Local Shops: Boutique LP, Enter the Earth, Tops For Shoes
Dream Catchers: Hatchett Creative Group
I am a huge supporter of Asheville local fashion and also a fan of many designers at this show. The seating of people in tepees raised a red flag for me, and the use dream catchers in the promo video does as well. Are tribes specifically involved or benefitting from this production? It is very easy to cross the line into appropriation without intending any harm, and blondes with dream catchers promoting an event withy tepee seating is pretty flagrant. I will attend, and I will support, but not without a voice, something that should be given to Native Americans when their culture is used, especially to benefit and promote non-Native enterprises. Please, correct me if I am mistaken, and tell me it isn’t so!!!’