ANN ARBOR, MI — Loungewear will meet streetwear at a debut fashion show hosted by an Ann Arbor shop.
ArtCareShop, located in Briarwood Mall, is hosting its first fashion show and Y2K-themed party from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at 500 E. Liberty St. The show itself starts at 7 p.m. and will last roughly 20 minutes.
Spouses Julia and Dakota Brown opened ArtCareShop as an Esty store in 2020 after Julia was inspired to design the clothes she struggled to find during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I had all these business outfits, and I couldn’t find anything for the pandemic specifically,” Brown said.
The pair opened a physical location in the mall in April 2021.
Brown’s designs are a combination of streetwear and loungewear, she said, with many of the concepts inspired by the early 2000s. The brand also focuses on making edgy and non-binary clothing.
“I was like, how can I adapt this for modern days? So I made high waisted paints, I made the cropped quarters of hoodie,” Brown said. It’s kind of reimagined but still inspired.”
Pieces play with a variety of fabrics, including cotton, wool, hemp, recycled polyester and fabrics made of corn and wood.
The party and fashion show will feature a comedian, catering by barbecue restaurant Ricewood, a cash bar and a temporary tattoo station. The show will have 30 outfits and is the first time Brown will see her complete collection in one place.
“I usually make one piece at a time, and it takes around six months to make like one piece,” she said. “So it’s very exciting to see.”
The show is open to those age 21 and older. Tickets are $20 if purchased ahead of time and $25 at the door. Event bracelets will also allow entrance to Necto, 516 E. Liberty St., from 9 to 10 p.m. for an after-party.
For more information or to purchase tickets, find ArtCareShop online or on social media.
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