Two Chikoko models starring in “Nectar” balance on wooden chairs, showcasing a geometric patterned top and jumpsuit.
Milk, honey, fake blood and imitation tar covered the models as they strutted down the runway Saturday night at the the Silver Dollar Fairground.
Chikoko, a group comprised of five designers with backgrounds in visual and performing arts, formed their business in 2005.
The concept of Saturday’s show was “Nectar,” said Muir Hughes, one of Chikoko’s co-founders and designers.
“For our October show, we wanted to do something appropriate for the month,” Hughes said. “Something dark but also playful that can show artistic expression.”
The five designers of Chikoko approached the fashion show with their own perspective, she said.
“It’s not your mainstream high fashion cookie-cutter type of fashion,” Hughes said. “We wanted it to be experimental and wearable art.”
The show was broken into four stages:
Milk: One piece of clothing was brown with splashes of white dripping down the front, representing purity.
Honey: Colorful gold, green and red garments filled the catwalk.
Blood: A darker aspect of the show was shown next. Ensembles included red velvet, along with dark and devilish materials. The models were also splashed with fake blood.
Tar: The lights dimmed, and a woman covered in artificial tar began to walk out as the models strutted in edgy, dark-colored attire.
Chicoans Phoebe Sager and Hannah Leigh enjoyed the essence of the show.
“My favorite thing about the whole show was that it was very empowering,” Sager said. “Everyone on that stage was doing it and looking awesome and I loved it.”
“I thought it was amazing,” Leigh said. “I loved the local creativity.”
Chikoko’s creative shows have drawn a larger and larger audience over the years, Hughes said.
“Our first fashion show was at the Women’s Club,” Hughes said. “Capacity was about 200 people, but our last three shows have grown to 1,000 people.”
Chikoko’s goal is to inspire people to have a do-it-yourself attitude and empower people to love their bodies. They also use recycled materials in their wardrobe.
Chikoko aims to have a diverse set of local models who vary in gender, ethnicity, sizes and age.
“Empower the body you have,” Hughes said. “There is allowance for fun. You don’t have to look a certain way in which society says is appropriate.”
For more information, check out www.Chikoko.com
Jennifer Jacobs can be reached at [email protected] or @theorion_news on Twitter.
