The latest installment of LA Fashion Week, presented by N4XT Experiences, opened with a captivating and thought-provoking performance by Los Angeles-based artist and filmmaker Tara Subkoff, the founder of Imitation of Christ. The event took place at the Hole Gallery on North La Brea Boulevard, opposite the Rick Owens boutique, where an eager audience of 200 gathered for the debut show.
Held in the exhibition space dedicated to Eric Yahnker’s whimsical drawings, the Imitation of Christ show commenced with opera performances and graceful silhouettes dancing on stage. Tara Subkoff then invited representatives from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds to recite texts and songs, creating a powerful and harmonious atmosphere.
This diverse lineup featured a rabbi, a Christian minister, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, a Hindu interfaith activist, a Muslim Sufi poet and practitioner, all facing a Native American indigenous flute player and a shaman. Notably, the presence of Rabbi Heather Miller and Muslim poet Najeeba Sweed side by side was a poignant symbol of peace during these challenging times.
Imitation of Christ’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection was presented through mesmerizing dance performances, featuring upcycled, flowing dresses, tulle, and mousseline. Children in tutus and garments adorned with the dove of peace design added a touch of innocence to the show.
As the show concluded, Tara Subkoff encouraged guests to embrace the spirit of upcycling. She invited them to pick up fast fashion items that had been discarded on the floor and urged them to create something unique and artistic from these pieces, promoting a shift from consumption to creation.
Imitation of Christ, a conceptual art project and fashion label, founded by American art students Matthew Damhave and Tara Subkoff, with Chloë Sevigny as the creative director, has been a trailblazer in promoting activism against fast fashion and climate change since its debut in 2000.
Following the show, guests celebrated the launch of LAFW Society at NYA Studios in Hollywood. LAFW Society, with the support of Paula Schneider, former CEO of American Apparel and current president and CEO of Susan G. Komen, will host its first gala evening in 2024. The society also announced a partnership with Otis College of Art and Design, showcasing the talents of its students.
Keith Abell, chairman of N4XT Experiences, expressed the vision behind LA Fashion Week, stating that Los Angeles deserves to have a prominent place in the global fashion scene, similar to New York, London, Paris, and Milan.
The LA Fashion Week 2023 opening ceremony celebrated peace, diversity, and upcycling, setting a unique tone for this year’s fashion extravaganza.
