Kimono Zulu, a creative exploration led by Tina Zulu will host "Floating World," a one-day trunk show presentation and reception on Saturday, May 20th, at Cindy Lisica Gallery. The collection highlights Kimono Zulu's artist collaboration series featuring redesigned and reimagined Japanese vintage kimonos by multimedia artists and fashion designers: Selven O'Keef Jarmon, katsola, Jennifer Gabiola of DawningSoul, Royal McGee, Dandee Warhol, Mina Gaber, Soi-K, Judy Masliyah of My Flaming Heart, Elijah Coccetti, Rene Cruz and Ann Brooks.

 

Artists will be in attendance to share their design approach and take custom orders. The collection will be on view from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. with an artist talk and reception from 6-8 p.m, refreshments, and music by Josh Zulu. The presentation will also feature upcycled obi handbags and accessories, and a pristine selection of men's and women's short and long vintage kimonos available for purchase.

 

KIMONO GIVEAWAY: Register on Eventbrite to be entered into a drawing to win a kimono valued at $150. Limit one entry per person. Winner will be selected at 7 p.m. Must be present to win.

 

The exhibition on view at the gallery is "Order From Chaos" by Houston-based French artist Emilie Duval. It features mixed media artwork and large-scale paintings that explore digital technology, architecture and "contemporary Baroque-ness." The Kimono Zulu event title of the "Floating World" (ukiyo) refers to the Edo period in Tokyo (17th-19th centuries), where kabuki theater and colorful woodblock prints, along with overtones of extravagance, amusement and style were prevalent. These reimagined pieces of wearable art in the form of kimonos stem from this world of wonder and wit. 

 

"This collaboration represents a crossroads of history, culture and art in the gallery, explains gallery owner Cindy Lisica, who also holds a PhD in Art History with a focus on Japan. "Duval's artwork considers material, economy, fashion and excess, so the event with Kimono Zulu is an exciting fusion of art and fashion, aesthetics and concept."

 

Featured artist Selven O'Keef Jarmon recalls "when Tina asked me to participate in the Kimono Zulu creative exploration it was like being asked to revisit a book I loved whose content was still lingering within my memory banks. Three of my most treasured influences are Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo. In working on the Kimono Zulu project, my approach cannot escape the conceptual nature that exists in Japanese fashion and their overall influence on the world of fashion. These pieces are like vestiges of couture placed in a ready-to-wear setting."
 

SPECIAL THANKS
Catherine Anspon, Cindy Lisica, Josh Zulu, Topo Chico and Deep Eddy Vodka

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