The experience of a fashion showcase doesn’t always come in a neat package of theatrical runway drama, museum exhibitions, or retail display windows.  Fashion in the alley has a personality, energy, and engagement all of its own when witnessed in “the alley” as the behind-the-scene back stage to a fashion show.

The Kulinary Kultuur Experience, presented by Hezekiah Da Costa “Chef N Tailor”, Samuel Boakye, creative director of Hause of Kultuur, and the JHall Brand at Innerspace Gallery in downtown LA, was a cultural event highlighting the art of culinary and fashion design.  Part of the event was a runway show in the Gallery, but the best viewing of fashion was in the alley next to the Gallery.  The alley served as the behind-the-scene [bts] pre-runway preparation.  What stood out was a visually appealing, organic setting – a fashion photographers dream – with street art covered brick buildings, rolling trash bins, and fire escape stairways, along a brick laid path.

The combination of models in different stages of prep – hair, make-up, dress; a make shift dressing room and lounge area; rehearsing, or just killing time – made for a more interesting engagement and certainly unexpected.  Fashion show-goers don’t see this part of the process, only the press, but are fascinated with the buzz, the excitement, and anticipation that goes on behind-the-scene. It is all part of the experience.

Elevating fashion in a collaborative direction such as The Kulinary Kultuur Experience, is sought after from those wanting a live [non-digital] and meaningful experience, bearing witness to fashion’s cultural significance.  Maybe next time, fashion show-goers can have an interactive experience with a bts “fashion in the alley” type engagement.

Cheers!