The Way We Are Now: Fashion at NIAD

We are thrilled to present “The Way We Are, Now,” an exhibition of new designs from NIAD’s beloved Fashion Class. 

“The love for fashion spreads, and now the whole studio is thriving off of it,” exhibition curator Shantanice Swain explains. “For me, fashion is about what you’re comfortable with. It can shift, and it can be anything — clothes, earrings, shoes, drawings. It’s a bold and courageous way of saying, ‘I am who I am today.’”

Fashion has the power to affirm and transform: what we wear tells a story about who we are and who we might one day hope to become. Over the past year, artists were encouraged to experiment with materials and draw inspiration from personal history, pop culture, and future fantasies. Presented here is a selection of works on paper that showcase vibrant and innovative adornments.

Join us for the Runway Event on September 14th to celebrate these stellar works and so much more!

Julio Del Rio’s meticulous line work carries over into his embroidery. He describes his drawings, “I drew those things that you put in your hair, headbands, and earrings. Then I finished sewing the clothes for the fashion show with all those colors too.”  

Cosmic and floral motifs show up throughout Karen May's practice. She elaborates on her featured work on paper: “Kitty put some words on it, and there are some flowers hiding down there, too. And this here is the full moon I saw last night at home outside. I also saw a half moon and put a half of a quarter moon in there — that would be like a new moon in the sky.”

Shantanice Swain is a Bay Area native who has worked with NIAD for fourteen years. Over the course of her time at NIAD she has developed a deep appreciation for each artist's individual work style, and, drawing creative influence from the NIAD community, has become a multidisciplinary artist herself. Shantanice is currently Studio Co-Director and Fashion Class Facilitator at NIAD.