The 9th Annual Mid-Coast Altered Couture Contest was held May 4th at Fort Andross in Brunswick. This is a unique creative fashion show event—headed each year by director/producer Christine deTroy—that celebrates local community and its vast and varied talents. Designers create a one-of-a-kind design using recycled/upcycled materials and their models compete on the runway. This year’s theme was “The Beatles,” with 25 designers and their models choosing a song, creating a garment, and then walking, strutting or dancing down the runway to the delight of the sold-out crowd. A homegrown panel of judges revealed their choice for Best of Show at evening’s end.
Says deTroy about the event, “It’s open to everybody, regardless of ability, size, shape or gender. The designers are allowed to sew it, glue it, staple it, tape it, however they can put their garments together. I wanted to create something that was inclusive, not exclusive.”
Taking part repeatedly in this contest are artists from Spindleworks, students from Brunswick Jr. High School, mother/daughter teams, art teachers, and local designers and craftspeople. Each year, monies raised from attendance fees are donated to a local art-making charity. And, although it is a lot of work to pull off, everybody’s already looking forward to next year. A wonderful, warm and uplifting community event.
—Photography and text, Christine Macchi
