Runway Re-hash: Reliving DRAUMA and the AFM Finale Show

Two grand events made the month of April so awesome that the Alternative Fashion Mob, along with fans all over the city, are still gabbing about it. If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at these larger-than-life events, here's a recap from a model's perspective!

On April 19^th, DRAUMA returned for their annual showcase of head-turning creations. A week later, the Alternative Fashion Week Finale Show gave another sartorial thrill. Having been lucky enough to model for DRAUMA and the AFM Finale two years in a row, I’ve become accustomed to the backstage mania and all it entails. 

Clothing: Trulie Scrumptious (Photo by Zombie Tapdance)

DRAUMA is a fusion of many things. It is a synthesis of art forms and of people. Those who attend DRAUMA wear their identities on their sleeves with every action, from style to behavior. They push the envelope on a daily basis, and one night a year, they celebrate their vastly unique perspectives. From wearable ensembles to avant garde hair and makeup and sometimes minimal fabric –  fashion, music and art came together at DRAUMA for an evening of arresting sights!

One of the most fun things about DRAUMA is that what I view behind the scenes is pretty much what the audience sees once models take to the runway. Girls and guys prancing about in glitter and body paint? Check. Women baring their chests in varying degrees of coverage (i.e. strategically placed waist length hair)? Seen it. Confetti, papier mache, latex, lace, chains, duct tape... Name a material, and chances are it’s been used for some aspect of a DRAUMA look. 

Look 1: Josie Wills (Photo by Shadow Services Photography); Look 2: Josie Wills (Photo by Jim Sanders Photography); Look 3: Green Fashion Designs (Photo by Shadow Services Photography)

But the fun isn’t relegated solely to cat-walkers! Attendees dress to impress in a range of creative get-ups that include stand-out pieces of their own. DRAUMA draws the most diverse pack of humans you’ll ever see and, as a model, I love that people come to the show in anticipation both of what they’ll be entertained with and what they can show off. If I love modeling enough to have had dead butterfly wings glued to my eyes, had my entire body coated in sparkles and laboriously washed out teased hair more times than I can remember, I appreciate when those coming to a show are just as stoked to get fancy, whatever that definition of fancy may be.

This year, DRAUMA also served as the kickoff to Alternative Fashion Week’s second year. Following DRAUMA, a full week of events made up AFW14, culminating in the Grand Finale Show on April 26^th. Highlighting 18 local designers, the show paid homage to the array of aesthetics encompassed in this city’s fashion mavens. A handful of the designers were veterans from last year’s inaugural show, but the majority of the collections stemmed from designers who were new to the Alternative Fashion Mob game. Throwing themselves into the madness, the pieces they toiled over took center stage at the finale show, and it was definitely a show to remember!

My stunning outfits - Look 1: Katelyn McClain Designs (Photo by Sen Bai); Look 2: Malvart = Stewart (Photo by Troy Mueller); Look 3: Lydia Hopmann (Photo by Sen Bai); Look 4: Esther Hall (Photo by Sen Bai)

This time around, I walked for four collections, which allowed me to don a beautiful assortment of looks. Fringe leggings and a hand-knit vest gave way to a painstakingly felted, hand-dyed wool and silk gown. If those looks weren’t a lesson in time-intensity, I was then clothed in a skirt and crop top made of patterned contact paper and super glue. I rounded out my runway time with an asymmetrical lace dress worn over shorts with a long vest.

Seeing AFM’s finale show both this and last year, the growth I witnessed was a sight to behold. This year’s show expanded the number of featured designers, which in turn meant more models, hair and makeup stylists. And though the rooms backstage were a bit tighter, that closeness led me to observe the tremendous talent around me. One collection used hair pieces in lieu of fabric and another used heavy upholstery for the most adorable crop top. A personal favorite of mine used rigid neon fabric to form modern street wear looks. 

Look 1: Synthetic Rebellion (Photo by Kris Misevski); Look 2: Oliver P. Zhang (Photo by Sen Bai); Look 3: Caroll + Cleo (Photo by Kris Misevski)

The pay-off for AFM’s Finale show is tough to put into words. For me, the connections I’ve made with both old and new friends and acquaintances are incomparable. The long hours of rehearsals and the adrenaline of outfit changes – it’s all worth it. There is no bigger satisfaction than commanding everyone’s attention, having cameras flash at the end of the runway, and subsequently being enveloped with kind words and hugs once the show is over.

Anyone involved in these types of events can identify with that odd combination of tired elation. At the end of the night, knowing you helped bring a designer’s vision to life is everything I live for. Energized and exhausted – that’s how I want to leave every show. DRAUMA and the AFM Finale were no exception, and that’s what will keep me coming back for more.

- Michaela Neu

Model and Alt Fashion Blogger

Rebellious Hair= A Good Thing! : Meet Hair Designer Brianne Jeanette

Laura Dark Photography

Synthetic Rebellion was founded by Brianne Jeanette in 2010 and was initially a business that created various styles and structures of synthetic hair art. Brianne and assistant Kaylen recently branched out into hair fashion just this year as a way to challenge themselves creatively. Their primary purpose and specialty is styling avant-garde hair for photo shoots, events, and the runway.

MoxieInk Designs

I started building hair structures for photo shoots when I was just starting out as a model in Columbus. I gained a reputation for them rather quickly, and soon after began styling hair and creating both wigs and structures for Laura Dark Studios. Kaylen got her cosmetology license in 2011 and has worked with hair ever since. 

           

Our general aesthetic is usually categorized as large and elaborate. We really focus on taking inanimate objects and making them come to life as wearable pieces of art made almost entirely out of synthetic hair. Since everything is one-of-a-kind, we never duplicate what we've made before, and we always try and push our own limits and boundaries. 

Laura Dark Photography

Clients are mostly performers, models, photographers, and even other designers. Down the like we would love to span out and create signature hair pieces and outfits for drag queens and theater productions.      

They've already  been published internationally and nationally in over 30 magazines, and have been featured on 10TV News for their Female Spotlight!     

Laura Dark Photography

These lovelies had so much fun participating in AFW last year creating hair sculptures for Aaron James of Ruby Hill Designs that they decided to try creating their own collection. Columbus has been such a wealth of support that it's really bolstered the Rebellion's confidence. It seemed the only sensible thing to do was to submit themselves for the finale and see if they were accepted... And they were! 

Alternative Fashion Week is HUGE for us! We're spending all of the time we have outside of the studio to work on our collection. We have a small collection for Drauma, courtesy of Label Yourself's designs, but other than that, we're at full focus for AFW.

Q&A

What fuels your passion?

A challenge! We get so much energy and passion from just trying to figure out how something could be done, and then once it is, we're just elated. It's that feeling, and the entire process, that totally keeps us inspired for the next project- And for what we do!

   

How can someone get one of your lovely creations?

You can book us to create pieces for a project that is totally unique and just for you. We construct pieces behind the scenes, and then we show up on set to install the piece! We can also be booked to style hair for shoots, events, etc. If you're interested in having us get involved with your project, all you have to do is message us! 

  

Bird, Model Brianne Jeanette
Laura Dark Photography

Describe your creative process.

Everything we do has been self-taught, so a lot of our creative process begins with some massive head scratching. Hair can be easily turned into a useful textile if you just think outside the box. We hope to prove that during AFW! 

What sets you apart from other designers?

Creating clothing out of hair has certainly been done before, but we hope to take it to the next level. Not only do we have our clothing collection though, we also have enormous hair structures that will accompany each piece, making it as awe-inspiring as possible. 

             

Contact info for readers: 

Synthetic Rebellion

Girlfriends and Glamour: Tips For Your At-Home Beauty Prep

Ever been in a bind for a fancy occasion and found yourself squirming over the thought of having to master your own hair and makeup? Or reached for the curling iron with no idea of the power you wield, or (shudder) the damage you could do? If you've ever poured helplessly over your eyeshadows with not a clue as to what you're going for, you'll agree that everyone needs a friend who's a beauty expert.

Luckily, my lady, Lydia Hopmann, who happens to also be one of the featured designers in this year's Alternative Fashion Week, was able to rescue me from my novice ways last Saturday as I prepped for a formal fund-raising event. In a little over an hour, this genius woman took me from drab to fab, all in the comfort of her own home, as we gabbed like a pair of high-schoolers getting ready for our first dance.

 

I've always relished the process of getting ready – be that constructing a head-to-toe outfit and readying myself from one day to the next, or letting stylists take the lead at fashion shows and photoshoots. As a model, taking on new looks is one of the most amazing parts of each new project, and it's rare that I'm left with anything less than wonder whenever I take a seat to have my hair or makeup done.

My girlfriend time with Lydia proved no different. Though we used my evening event as an excuse to catch up about everything and nothing, we were serious about the task at hand. I'd come to her with my wardrobe complete for the function, but had not the faintest idea about how handle the rest of my look. How could I dress up my pixie cut while still looking natural? Did I want a bold lip, or would that be too much?

 

The transformation I underwent was just the right dose of special yet subtle. Using one of her favorite eyeshadow palettes, Naked 2 by Urban Decay, Lydia blended the perfect smoky eye, combining touches of gold to mirror the gilded belt that encircled my flowy, mint green frock. Highlighting my face with swipes of blush, I appeared rosy yet refined (a far cry from anything I would have been able to accomplish on my own).

But the brilliance didn't stop there. Large barrel rollers, a couple twists of a straightener and a few sprays of hair spritz gave my cropped 'do more feminine shape. My stick straight locks, sometimes a nuisance, were suddenly red carpet ready. 

As Lydia worked her magic on my face and follicles, I tackled my nails. Choosing nail polish from a such a well-rounded collection was quite the feat, but I finally settled on a beautiful taupe color by Sonia Kashuk. This was complimented by a cool clear lacquer with holographic foil flakes by Formula X. Lydia finished off my nails with dainty dots of gold on the last two fingernails, a tiny yet irresistible detail that I haven't been able to keep my eyes off since.

And with that, I was off to enjoy the night ahead, feeling radiant from both the cosmetics and the conversation. Later, as glasses chinked and hors d'oeuvres were devoured, I took in the looks around me and could only imagine that I'd had one of the more pleasant prepping experiences. I've pretty much mastered my daily routine; I'm no longer leary of mascara, and can even apply a nice coat of lipstain, but nothing compares to having your makeup and hair done by someone who truly knows the ropes.

Ladies (and gents!), if you don't have a good pal who knows their way around a Sephora and can work a beauty miracle for you at the last minute, let me tell you, you're missing out. The only thing better than letting a friend take the beauty reigns is the bonding that inevitably happens. Having been saved from my ineptitude at the vanity was just a portion of why I left for the ball with such gusto in my high-heeled step. As anyone with loyalties to a favorite hair, makeup, or nail maven can attest, it's more than just the finished product that keeps you coming back. It's the friendship.

In an ode to how much we enjoy our dress-up time, behold:
Lydia (right) and I a few weeks back at an '80s themed roller skate party!

- Michaela Neu

Model and Alt Fashion Blogger