DIA and Detroit Garment Guild invite local fashion designers to participate in upcoming competition "Beyond the Armor" in preview of "Samurai: Beyond the Sword" exhibition opening March 9, 2014

Local fashion designers invited to participate in a competition

hosted by Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Garment Group Guild

to celebrate the upcoming exhibition Samurai: Beyond the Sword

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), in partnership with the Detroit Garment Group Guild (DG3), would like to hear from local fashion designers interested in participating in a competition in conjunction with the museum's upcoming Samurai: Beyond the Sword exhibition opening March 9, 2014.

The competition is called "Beyond the Armor" and designers will be asked to create a complete outfit inspired by the Samurai exhibition. Interested designers should submit an electronic portfolio of their work (at least 10 designs) to Karen Buscemi, President of the DG3, at detroitgarmentgroup@gmail.com by January 31.

Preference will be given to designers from the tri-county area and to those with a demonstrated history of high-quality work. The DG3 will select 10 designers, who will be invited to tour the exhibition this spring and create a complete outfit inspired by what they see. The cost of materials will be provided and DG3 will oversee the designers as their inspirations become reality. Selected designers will be notified by February 14.

The designers will post blogs and/or vlogs while they are creating their works. The finished looks will travel to three community locations for local exhibitions, culminating with a fashion show, where the winner of the design competition will be announced. The winner will be selected by the community's preference, and will receive a special prize, which will be announced during the fashion show.

"Beyond the Armor" is the third edition of the museum's "DIA Inspired" program, which asks participants to use the museum as a source of inspiration and to create works of art based on what they see during their visit.

"The DIA is committed to connecting people with the museum, but also helping people make personal connections with art through fun and unique experiences," said Kathryn Dimond, Director of Community Relations. "Our engagement programs like DIA Inspired are important to our community, because it not only showcases how the museum's collection inspires visitors, but it also showcases the talent of our region."

Samurai: Beyond the Sword explores the world of the Japanese Samurai. Broadening the stereotype of the warrior, the exhibition explores the role of the military arts and the importance of Samurai's engagement in the cultural, spiritual and art worlds of their time.

DG3 is a nonprofit that provides education and opportunities for Detroit's fashion community and beyond. Educational programming ranges from an annual fashion conference focused on the business of fashion, to an industrial sewing certification program, coming this fall.

For more information about DG3, visit www.detroitgarmentgroup.org

  

Hours and Admission

Museum hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents and DIA members. For all others, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 62+, $4 for ages 6–17. For membership information, call 313-833-7971.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), the DIA's collection is known for its quality, range, and depth. The DIA's mission is to create opportunities for all visitors to find personal meaning in art.

Programs are made possible with support from residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.