Catwalk Envy: A Subverted Runway Show

Description:

This was a performance art fashion show curated by Lorena Wolffer and co-facilitated by Lori Weidenhammer. They worked with local artists from an open call to develop and produce an individual performance as part of a short residency.

Wolffer opened the show to a Mexican accordion remix soundtrack, using pieces of fabric as accessories that doubled as restraints around her neck and hands, and as a mouth gag. A makeup artist applied red blush to suggest bruising and blood at the points of contact. The performance concluded with Wolffer donning a Mexican wrestling mask and exiting the stage.

Jocelyn Grant wore a tightly bundled black dress. It transformed from a mini dress to a floor-length gown before continuing to unravel into a long train. Grant struggled with the fabric and dragged it off the stage. 

Naufus Ramirez-Figueroa performed to a narrated soundtrack and background visuals inspired by The Emperor’s New Clothes. Dressed as an aristocrat in undergarments, Ramirez-Figueroa also introduced a postcolonial twist, incorporating Latino references and dance.

Kim Dawn wore a black dress adorned with stuffed animals. 

Barefoot, she walked the runway while singing and listening to “Like a Virgin” on a portable CD player with headphones, pulling a train of stuffed animals behind her. She ended the performance by changing into jeans and a sweater, putting on shoes, and tying her hair into a ponytail, leaving the stuffed animals in the corner.

Aiyyana Maracle delivered a poetic monologue while holding a bird wing fan, reflecting on the emotional masks people wear to conceal themselves. As she spoke about emotions such as fear, hate, and apathy, masked performers embodying each emotion joined her on the catwalk. Maracle warns of the destructive behaviours fuelled by these emotions and makes a call to embrace humanity. She removed the chain from her dress and exited the runway naked, later re‑emerging in a silk dressing gown carrying a baby. The masked performers then removed their masks and left the stage. The ensemble performers were Cease Wyss, Theo Jean Cuthand, Janice Toulouse, Jan Kudelka, and Renae Morriseau. 

Irene Laughlin’s performance drew inspiration from the Irish Republican Women's Movement. She wore a black coat, leather gloves, and a beret. She removed her jacket to reveal a black armband and drew a gun. She stripped away her original outfit, ending somberly in a long‑sleeved dress.

Lori Weidenhammer walked the runway in a Gothic-style black dress and parasol. She removed her top and layers of tulle to reveal a transparent vinyl bra, bloomers, garters, and stockings. She delivered commentary, switching between being demure and obscene.    

Presented with LIVE Biennale. 

Video documentation is available upon request.