Fashion takes over Buskirk

If all the world’s a stage, downtown Bloomington is its tributary runway – at least according to event coordinators at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

Catwalk spirit infiltrated the locally owned venue Thursday with Fashion+Function+Art, a fundraiser sponsored by Optiks. Stylish clothing, however, was not the principle focus of the evening.

“Tonight’s theme is taking risks,” Buskirk Executive Director Danielle McClelland told the packed auditorium.

“In 1922, a family took the risk of building the theater,” she said. “Let’s wish the Buskirk-Chumley another 85 years of taking more risks and making it fabulous along the way.”

She thanked the audience for buying tickets, and thus donating money in support of the Buskirk, “the gift that performs.”

High heels dug into the theater’s crimson and gold-patterned carpet as patrons filed in to the rhythm of West African drumming. Dr. Djo Bi, Harmony and students entertained with opening and post-intermission dances to the beat of bongo-esque instruments.

Following the performances, local models, including deputy mayor Maria Heslin and Bloomington Renaissance woman Susan Sandberg, strutted down the stage-converted runway as graffiti artists sprayed murals on the set’s backdrop.

Emcees Miah Michaelson, assistant economic development director for the Arts in Bloomington, and Jim Manion, music programming director of WFHB, stood behind podiums on the left of the stage describing styles from Bloomington retailers such as B Boutique, Cactus Flower, Superior Shoes and Bella Donna.

“These gloves enable you to dine and text message without taking them off,” Michaelson said of a Yarns Unlimited product.

The show was divided into two acts, featuring apparel specific to eight different settings, and several styles of glasses from Optiks. DJ Mother Truckers provided music, spinning tracks from local labels Secretly Canadian, Jagjagjuwar and Dead Oceans.

Act one featured appropriate dress for daytime, business and weekend casual settings. Children’s styles were also on display. Toddler models held hands and ran across the runway to the audience’s audible amusement.

Act two was comprised of cocktail, urban casual and party looks.

“For the weekend, anything goes,” Manion said as models emerged in glittering dresses and taller shoes.

“Doggy style” also appeared in the second segment. London Dog, a Bloomington pet vendor, dressed four pooches.

Bloomington bartender Matt Hill came to see one canine in particular: Fraiser, the Chihuahua mix.

“I’m function over fashion,” he said, but admitted to loving festively-adorned dogs.
B Boutique owner Brooke Magdzinski said she enjoyed seeing both fashionable and functional looks on display.

“I think the show is a fresh look of different retailers in town wand what they have to offer,” she said. “It’s fun to see everything on the runway.”