Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Embracing change
Ten designers create fashions that transform on the runway for annual Circus Couture
WHEN Dustin Isom steps onstage, he’s dressed in an expensive, welltailored suit. He looks handsome, professional. He may even be the host of the show.
With a sharp pull on his necktie, his coat falls away from his shoulders. With a twirl, his suit transforms into an iridescent open-torsoed evening gown. Shimmery lace and glittering crystals flow down his body in an ombre of pastels as he continues along the catwalk.
The transforming garment he wears is one of 10 created by local designers for this year’s Circus Couture fundraising event.
The annual fashion and circus show features the talents of several aerialists, artists, fashion designers and technicians who perform on the Strip. They volunteer their time, talent and resources to create one-of-a-kind looks to fit the theme of “Metamorphose.”
“This year, they all need to be reveal garments,” Circus Couture co-artistic director Ross Gibson says. “It’s the appearance of one, then there’s a quick release and it turns into another garment.”
The show benefits Cure 4 The Kids, a local childhood cancer treatment center that helps families of children who are uninsured, underinsured or unable to pay for treatment. It was held Thursday night at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Zach Paugh became intrigued with costume design as a kid when he watched “Star Wars.”
“I was inspired by Queen Amidala,” he says. “And so my goal through costumes and being involved with this is having that kid look at something that someone has designed and be like, ‘Wow, I really can wear whatever I want to wear, I can be inspired by whatever I want to be.’ ”
Paugh volunteers as fashion director, tasked with facilitating the creativity of the 10 collaborative designers.
“My goal is to give young artists the space to create something, something wearable, something avantgarde, something couture.”
For three months, these five designers have been planning, designing and constructing their quickchange garments.
Levi Miles
Levi Miles, a costume staffer for “Criss Angel Mindfreak,” was inspired to create a dress for a man after seeing Billy Porter in a tuxedo dress at this year’s Emmys.
“I really like how Billy Porter is a masculine man, but he’s wearing these clothes that are traditionally feminine,” Miles says. “And then when I met Dustin I was like, ‘He’s perfect.’ He has that masculine side and that feminine side.”
Miles’ design largely came together through small coincidences. He lucked into meeting Isom weeks before needing a model and connected with a friend who had an excess of Swarovski crystals.
“We all know each other,” Miles says. “Literally all of Zach’s ‘Ka’ friends are involved in this and if you need help, they can help you. We all support each other.”
For Jeffrey deBarathy, a bright and cloudy day always has a chance of rain — and it’s up to you how you weather the storm.
His garment, which he calls “Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Rain,” starts as a sky blue Cinderella-style ball gown. A printed fabric of a cloudy sky is shaped into pleated layers and puffy sleeves. As deBarathy’s model moves down the runway, the storm emerges and she activates the dress, triggering 10 umbrellas that open around the dress — transforming the dreamy silhouette into armor.
“I wanted the shape to be kind of whimsical and fun and kind of resembled clouds to me,” deBarathy says. “And then it ties in with the pleating and ruffles on the umbrellas.”
A dance captain for “Zombie Burlesque,” deBarathy has designed costumes with his partner Georgia Richardson for events and stage productions for over 15 years. They have previously created looks for Circus Couture inspired by dream catchers and the months of the year.
“Especially with what these kids are going through, it’s important to remember that you can weather the storm.”