PORT TOWNSEND — Dresses made of duct tape, honeycombed paper and crocheted videotape took top honors at the Port Townsend Wearable Art Show, last weekend’s sold-out event to benefit the Jefferson County Fund for Women and Girls.
With more than 1,000 people attending Friday’s dress rehearsal, plus two shows Saturday at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, the fourth annual show raised $18,000, said spokeswoman Jeannie McMacken.
One of the show’s prize winners was “Expansion,” an outfit by Margie McDonald of Port Townsend.
The 70-inch-wide creation — 92 layers of paper laminated in 2 gallons of white glue — enveloped model Bonnie Obremski, who opened and closed it as she walked the runway.
McDonald won both the People’s Choice award and second place in the show, so she took home $450 in prizes plus gift certificates donated by local businesses.
The Wearable Art Show brought together 40 designers from Western Washington, Alaska and California. Here are the award winners:
■ Una McFadin, 8, of Port Townsend received the Student Award for her dress titled “Duct Tape Diva,” made of patterned duct tape.
■ Terra Holcomb of Kirkland took third place for “The Mussel Gatherer,” an outfit made of mussel shells. Port Townsend dancer Allison Dey modeled the 30-pound dress.
■ Nonie Gaines from Port Townsend took home the Honorable Mention award for “Samurai Swoosh,” her dress modeled by Ella Becker.
Built from woven fiber blinds and metal, the piece represented a Samurai warrior’s armor.
■ Rebecca Maxim of Seattle, whose gown and headdress are titled “Videotape Confection,” won Best in Show.
“I had a vision for a high-fashion, haute couture gown and figured out how to recycle and crochet this unnatural material,” said Maxim, who used 68 VHS tapes to construct her pieces.
“All materials are possible . . . [and] many voices are welcome,” added Michael Cepress, the University of Washington art professor who judged the competition.
Debbi Steele, Wearable Art Show co-chairwoman, touted the volunteers — about 100 — and the many local sponsors.
“This year’s event has exceeded all our expectations,” she said.
The show’s proceeds will help the Fund for Women and Girls make grants to local organizations through the Jefferson County Community Foundation. Much more about the fund can be found at www.jccfgives.org.
________
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
