Fashion designer shifts into gear for car-themed runway
What could clothing and cars possibly have in common?
Just ask fashion designer Kari Bare who will return to her Southwest Virginia home to showcase her antique automobile-inspired apparel in the sixth annual Wheels in Historic Abingdon car show.
The car show, a main fundraiser for the Cruisin’ Classics Car Club, will stretch from the intersection of Cummings and Main streets to Russell Road from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.
Main Street runway
At 6 p.m., local models will take to the highway to present Bare’s fashion line, Buckle and Shift, a name used in both the fashion and car industries. Her retro line was inspired by watching her parents, Bo and Libby Bare, restore vintage cars.
Fascinated by the designs of the 1960s and 1970s, Bare recently found a way to incorporate her family’s passion into her own fashion designs.
“I’ve always wanted to have a fashion show in Abingdon and let people back home see what I do. I think the car show will be a great way to tie it all together,” said the designer.
Her clothing line is made from salvaged antique car upholstery fabrics and other accessories. Bare said members of the car club donated fabrics once they learned of her unique style of clothing. Some fabrics were made from fabrics that were manufactured for vintage cars, but never used. A few fabrics were removed from old cars the father and daughter found at salvage yards.
“Some of the fabric is reused, so I’m taking something totally different and turning it into something else which is a really popular concept right now,” she said.
“It’s going to be a cool show with 20 different looks,” said Bare, who will feature her original designs of dresses, vests, and tops, all made from the vintage fabrics.
Spectators can purchase the clothing at the show or place custom orders.
Bare has an eye for using the fabrics in a creative way.
“One of my dresses was designed to look like a fender of a 1953 Chevy.”
Bare used a seat belt from a 1957 Chevy to make straps and a belt for a dress, and closures for a vest. She also used fabric they found on a 1969 Volkswagen, a 1973 Camaro, and a 1971 Mercury Capri.
“One of my dresses was designed to look like a fender of a 1953 Chevy,” she said.
The designer used a seat belt from a 1957 Chevy to make straps and a belt for a dress, and closures for a vest. She also used fabric they found on a 1969 Volkswagen, a 1973 Camaro, and a 1971 Mercury Capri.
“I didn’t think other people would enjoy my clothing line as much as I do, but they loved it. I’ve gotten amazing feedback. It blew me away,” said the 24-year-old, who resides in Fairfax, Virginia, and works as a personal stylist for Trunk Club at Chinatown in Washington, D.C.
Bare’s unique clothing line was featured at the 2016 D.C. Fashion Week. She’s also received invitations to participate in a show with the Auto Recycling Association in Dallas, Texas, in November.
Fashion magazines, DEUX Magazine of Paris, and The Tab of England, a global news outlet based in London, featured Bare Couture in their coverage of D.C. Fashion Week.
A fundraising car show
Chip McCall, president of the car club, said there is no charge for spectators but a $10 fee is required for each car entry. Participants must register their vehicles beginning at 2 p.m. on Remsburg Drive at the Abingdon Farmers Market.
The car club is a non-profit organization that focuses on helping children. “We are a Christian-believing club and we are thankful we’re able to help other people,” McCall said.
Proceeds from the show are used to help fund St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a back pack program which provides weekend meals to Washington County children in need.
“On a bad day, we’ll have 200 vehicles and a good day we’ll have 400 or more,” said McCall, who has organized the show since 2012.
The show attracts participants from the Tri-Cities region in addition to Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
More than 50 trophies will be awarded to a variety of makes and models of cars, trucks, rat rods, imports, motorcycles, and tractors.
“If they’re proud of it, so are we,” said McCall.
“We don’t care if it’s brand new or old as the hills.”
Visitors can participate in a 50/50 cash drawing that allows the winner to take half of the proceeds from the show. Door prizes also will be offered.
Dash plaques will be given to the first 200 entrants.Read more at:bridesmaid dresses
