Haute Success

Artists and art lovers celebrated the beauty and versatility of textiles in a unique fashion show called Some Like it Haute.

In November, leaders in Johnstown’s fine arts gathered a unique group of incredibly talented hat, dress and jewelry makers for a groundbreaking display of head-to-toe wearable art.

Some Like it Haute featured couture outfits, adorned with one-of-a-kind accessories, created by professional artists from Lancaster to Pittsburgh. Models came from our own community of ballerinas, friends, and supporters. Live music and fine dining rounded out the evening of art and elegance.

Bonnie Resinski – The Silhouette Lady – gave a stand-out, thought provoking performance about the history of women’s fashion as it relates to civil rights and equality.

The Hat Ladies delighted Haute-goers with a collection of sassy, elegant, flamboyant, fun hats, some of them handmade, some restored vintage.

Other amazing artists displayed inspired creations made from paper, handmade textiles, and repurposed fabrics.

Organizer Rebecca Brubaker Roberts is, herself, a former professional model. Rebecca used her industry knowledge and contacts throughout Pennsylvania’s art community to curate the exhibit, select the designers and models, and coordinate the program. Local NBC affiliate WJAC-TV provided promotions, and d onations from Stifel Investment Services, Somerset Trust, and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies provided substantial funding, allowing the Ballet Company to keep event costs to a minimum.

The evening raised thousands of dollars for the Johnstown Concert Ballet Company’s Dance Works, a major undertaking to renovate a historic building in the city’s Cambria City neighborhood. Dance Works will be the new home of the Johnstown Concert Ballet Company, and is an important first step in expanding the Ballet’s outreach and programming. The ultimate vision for Dance Works is to be a force for dance arts in Johnstown and surrounding communities, affording access to the fine art of classical ballet and its derivatives to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.