MINNEAPOLIS _ A design by Christopher Straub is part of a three-week lobby pop-up event featuring original designs inspired by Prince at the Minneapolis Art Institute.
Prince did things his way, including how he created and made use of fashion. Whether wearing a white ruffled shirt, risque pants or purple anything, his style was sexy, unique and memorable.
To honor the late musician, eight fashion designers sent Prince-inspired pieces down the runway during an event for Fashion Week Minnesota last month. Now the outfits are on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
For the art museum, it seemed natural to showcase the work. "Prince was obviously an amazing artist, and it's incredible to see the creativity his work inspired across other disciplines," said Hunter Wright, the Venture Innovation director who helped bring the garments to the museum's lobby.
The collection's highlights include:
_A stretch-silk dress with side slits embroidered with glow-in-the-dark sequins by Dutch designers Mariette Verhoeven and Brigitte Bogart, who worked for Prince at Paisley Park in the '90s.
_Popular Project Runway contestant Christopher Straub's futuristic knitted quilt dress in purple and gold.
_A purple ombre silk charmeuse gown by Minneapolis-based Joy Teiken of Joynoelle. Black netting in the back plunges below the derriere _ a nod to those buttless pants Prince wore.
_A sheer, bell-bottomed, purple-flower-decorated jumpsuit by Toronto designer Ines Di Santo.
Commissioned by Mpls.St.Paul for the magazine's Fashionopolis event, the clothes reflect Prince's playfulness, androgyny, sexiness and future-focus. Wright hopes people will come to the museum to absorb and embrace the work, "and have an inspiring moment."
Catch it through Oct. 16.
