BYU students recently showcased fashion and makeup designs in a runway show at the Museum of Art. They each designed and modeled a look inspired by one of the paintings on exhibit from an art museum in Puerto Rico. On display until Jan. 3, The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce showcases world-class art that reflects the innate beauty of the human experience.
Fashion highlights from some of the most famous paintings include a stunning, full-skirted dress with a gathered bodice and cascading roses — inspired by The Roman Widow — and a contemporary two-piece evoking Flaming June’s apricot-orange warmth and repose.
Students began creating their designs over a year ago in a sewing class taught by Amber Williams, professor of Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
“Students have been able to refine their creative skills, which I believe connects them to our creator,” Williams said. “It inspires confidence to know we can take those skills with us into the next life as a form of intelligence, inspiring continuous works.”
For hair design and makeup, they collaborated with students in Theater and Media Arts, led by Jennine Hollingshaus, adjunct faculty. The collaboration allowed students to discover how multiple perspectives become the final look.
In preparation for the fashion show, each sewing student studied and viewed a single painting before the exhibit opened.
Ashley Clinger, a pre-design student, saw the variety of bold colors in The Magic of Patchouli. She took on the challenging task of designing jeans that exuded confidence.
“This painting is the most colorful piece in the collection. I really wanted my whole piece to incorporate color and strength,” Clinger said. “So I chose bright colors and a material that is strong and sturdy.”
Diana Watson, a student in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, saw female poverty and beauty in Landscape with Washerwomen.
“I wanted my design to be functional when the women are washing clothes and working, but also beautiful,” Watson said. “I chose a dark, apron-style wrap dress with a floral print; it has a very feminine silhouette and a blouse with puff sleeves.”
Saint Francis of Assisi in Meditation with Brother Leo inspired Lori Adrian, a student in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. She saw humility and sacrifice. For her design, she gathered donated clothes from BYU students and beyond. She cut and pieced the fabric, thinking of BYU’s mission to become better and to serve.
“It felt significant to have donated material because the painting is about donating your life to something different and to find a more spiritual purpose,” Adrian said.
Artwork referenced in this story
The Roman Widow (Dîs Manibus), 1874, oil on canvas by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (England, 1828–1882). From the collection of Museo de Arte de Ponce, The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.
Flaming June, 1895, oil on canvas by Frederic, Lord Leighton (England, 1830–1896). From the collection of Museo de Arte de Ponce, The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.
The Magic of Patchouli I, 1993, encaustic on linen by Diógenes Ballester (Puerto Rico, b. 1956). From the collection of Museo de Arte de Ponce, The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.
Landscape with Washerwomen, 1918, oil on canvas by Fernando Díaz Mackenna (Spain, active in Puerto Rico, 1873–1931). Gift of Roderic Steinkamp. From the collection of Museo de Arte de Ponce, The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.
Saint Francis of Assisi in Meditation with Brother Leo, ca. 1600–05, oil on canvas by Doménikos Theotokópoulos, known as El Greco (Greece, 1541–1614). From the collection of Museo de Arte de Ponce, The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc. Purchased with support from The Chase Manhattan Bank and David Rockefeller.
