October 7, 2004
Contemporary Fashions from Armenia
National Heritage Museum,33 Marrett Road, LexingtonSunday, 5 to 10 p.m.Donation: $50, includes buffet of Armenian foodTel.: 781-862-0738
Yerevan is rarely included on the list of fashion capitals. In fact, many Americans don’t even know that Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. But that hasn’t fazed Eva Medzorian, who has made it her goal to bring the fashion of Armenia to the United States, beginning this Sunday at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington.
“This is the first [Armenian fashion show] that has been in the United States,” said Medzorian, president of the Armenian International Women’s Association, New England Affiliate.
The show was conceived during one of her 40 visits to Armenia, when Medzorian stopped in the center of Yerevan to watch a student-run fashion show.
“The clothing was so Western,” she said. “It was up to par with some of the best things that we have here in America.”
Medzorian was even more impressed to learn that the school, the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts, did not even have access to sewing machines. In hopes of raising money for the academy as well as introducing the designs of Armenia to America, Medzorian organized the fashion show.
The show will feature the designs of students, graduates, and faculty members of the academy, along with a collection from ATEX, an Armenian-based fashion house. The runway designs will feature a variety of handcraft techniques, including beadwork, painting on silk, and embroidering. All items on the runway will be available for purchase, with prices from $60 to $350.
“There are no copycat designs,” said Medzorian. “The quality and the styles are modern and yet so original.”
Three of the designers will attend the show. Nune Aghbalian, an instructor in the design department of the Yerevan academy, is known for her paintings on silk. She will also be displaying some of her work at the Armenian Library Museum of America in Watertown.
Kevork Shadoyan, a recent graduate of the academy, will present a 20-minute segment on Armenian wedding fashions. The segment will include bridesmaid dresses, men’s attire, as well as a wedding gown customized with ancient Armenian motifs.
Another academy graduate, Anna Panosyan, will debut her line of fashions featuring fabrics such as silks, chiffons, and sheers.
The program will begin at 5:30 p.m., when guests can view and purchase items including hats, jewelry, scarves, and collectibles. At 6 p.m., there will be a buffet. The fashion show, beginning at 7 p.m., will be accompanied by Armenian music.
Medzorian found local residents who volunteered to help with the fashion show, including serving as the models. It is with the help of this community that Medzorian hopes to nurture these untapped talents.
“Armenia is one of those endangered countries that seems to be on the verge of extinction,” said Medzorian. “Through this fashion show, people can become more aware of Armenian tradition and culture.
“People will want to help an academy like this that is producing such talent and beautiful things to the world.”
CHRISTINA PEASLEE
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