Fashion Design Residency

and Fashion Show

About

Fashion is an important aspect of personal and cultural identity, especially when it comes to collective history. This program specifically featured Mexican American and Latinx fashion, providing aspiring artists and designers in the community with a platform to showcase their work. A fashion show of this caliber, content, and scale had not been held at the Delaware Art Museum before. Julieta Zavala’s process was documented and shared in various ways, including an interview with local social media creatives and an online artist chat.

Intended Outcome

To amplify local Latinx voices

Actual Outcome

Through this program, the Delaware Art Museum was able to build, develop, and grow engagement among the greater Latinx community. Participants felt that the fashion show was a personal, inspiring, and celebratory event, and they joined attendees for an afterparty that incorporated dancing, photo opportunities with the fashion models, and further conversation with one another.

Advice Post Project

The most effective way to reach the key audience was utilizing the museum’s extensive network of grassroots organizations and appearing on a large amount of local bilingual television and radio stations to talk about the event and its significance in reflecting the community. Video posts on social media were also important for reaching people interested in the fashion residency and fashion show. The museum employed social media creatives to produce and distribute engaging videos about Julieta Zavala’s Estampas-inspired project and her practice as a designer. Consider these methods when promoting similar community events.