“Microfibers come off polyester clothes in the washing machine, and those particles pollute waterways,” says Grace Gouin, strategist at Echoview Fiber Mill in Weaverville. Streams are so loaded with the synthetic stuff that, in theory, fish are a certain percent yoga pant.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a new release by Orison Books, Pierce Edens’ forthcoming album and an invention by local pin enthusiast Chris Evans.
Asheville Symphony’s Amadeus festival returns
Asheville Amadeus — held Friday, March 10-Sunday, March 19 — is about music, of course, but it also includes art, wine, comedy, sing-alongs, theatrical productions and a symphony-meets-hip-hop EP.
Conscious party: Eighth annual Art Affair
Dozens of collaborators — from restaurants to artists and stylists — make Open Doors’ Art Affair into a “spectacle” of creativity, according to event chair Dosty Quarrier. The fundraiser’s eighth annual iteration takes place at the Foundation on Saturday, March 11.
Conscious party: Condom Couture
For the fifth year, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic will promote safe sex at its Condom Couture fashion show. The event features garments made with hundreds of condoms each and takes place at the Orange Peel on Saturday, March 11.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a garment maker’s vibrant pants project plus a collection of short stories by minority and LGBTQ authors.
Mannequins’ best friend: Scout Boutique owner Dema Badr retraces her footsteps in local fashion
Asheville native Dema Badr learned her earliest business lessons locally, working for her family at Asheville Discount Pharmacy and later launching her own clothing store Zakya downtown. She draws on those experiences at her latest venture Scout Boutique.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a designer’s growing fashion company and the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards’ hands-on field crew program.
Big Boi Fly Fashion Show debuts at New Mountain
The runway production will showcase urban and casualwear in men’s sizes 3x to 10x.
Miss Gay Latina Asheville returns to Diana Wortham Theatre
The Miss Gay Latina Asheville drag pageant began in 2008 in a West Asheville church that held 200. It outgrew that venue by its second year, and moved to its current annual home at the Diana Wortham Theatre. This year’s performance, on Saturday, Nov. 5, will be the pageant’s ninth.
Smart bets: Fiesta Hendersonville
Enjoy sounds, tastes, dances and artistry from about 20 Latin American countries at Hendersonville’s Main Street on Sunday, Sept. 25.
Smart bets: Project Handmade
More than 40 garments by regional artists and designers will be on showcase at Local Cloth’s Project Handmade fashion show. The Folk Art Center hosts the event on Thursday, Sept. 22.
UNC Asheville hosts U.S. premiere of international costume design exhibit
There’s a little bit of everything in Costume at the Turn of the Century, the largest display of costumes and costume design from the turn of this century. The original exhibit was curated by Roussanoff and displayed in Moscow last year. The version on view at UNCA through Wednesday, Sept. 28 — the exhibition’s U.S. debut — includes many of the same designs and highly insured costumes from more than 300 designers representing 31 countries.
Asheville Fashion Week showcases local talent
Asheville Fashion Week, now in its second year, seeks to raise awareness of the local apparel and design scene. The event features more than 100 models and showcases the talents of over a dozen designers.
Smart bets: Tarocco
Playwright Nat Allister tweaked Tarocco following its 2015 debut, and now the emboldened work is set for a tour, beginning at Diana Wortham Theatre on Friday-Sunday, July 22-24.
Conscious party: My Sistah Taught Me That
Fashion consultant Leslie Council recently founded a female-focused branch of mentorship nonprofit My Daddy Taught Me That and will host a benefit to cover year one expenses. The event is at Celine’s on Broadway on Sunday, June 12.
Smart bets: Midsummer Faire
The historic festival is at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater on Saturday, June 4, from noon to 6:30 p.m., after which the Montford Park Players will perform “Much Ado About Nothing” at 7:30 p.m.
Smart bets: Faerie and Earth Festival
In its third year, the spiritually infused lakeside retreat offers magical moments for all ages at Highland Lake Cove from Saturday-Sunday, May 21-22.
Fashion, food and fundraising
The Pizza PanDemonium (now in its second year) offers pizza, beer, music and fashion, all while benefitting The Appalachian Angels and Eblen Charities.
Fiber Weekend at the Folk Art Center
For the 17the year, the annual Fiber Wearable Fashion Show heads down the runway at the Folk Art Center.
Zaniac brings innovative STEM education to Asheville
A recent Forbes magazine article asked whether Asheville could be “an emerging Silicon Valley.” And while some locals might wonder where the jobs that one might expect to come with such a claim are to be found, there’s little debate about the importance of getting young students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — […]