As passersby walked along Lyndale Avenue on Saturday, it was probably difficult to miss the swarm of guests in sequins, feathers, ball gowns, and larger-than-life headpieces descending upon Walker Art Center—the annual signal that the museum’s fall fundraising gala (often called “the party of the year”) is about to begin.
But for many attendees, it really begins weeks before that, when they embark on the elaborate brainstorming process of what to wear. The celebrated event has come to take on a Met Gala-like prominence in the Twin Cities community, with guests committing to a unique sartorial representation of the gala’s annual theme. This year, that theme was “Compositions for a Dream,” evoking an immersive, fictional world in which the lines between dream and reality are blurred. The abstract nature of the theme allowed plenty of room for interpretation, resulting in a captivating variety of statement textures, shapes, colors, and stories crowding the Walker’s moonlit Upper Garden on Saturday. Yet, when I arrived at the gala’s after party, I watched as these varying interpretations of Compositions for a Dream blended together like a cohesive work of art, complemented by the fine drapes of gossamer and ethereal neon glow that permeated the space.
In preparation for my own ensemble, I contacted local designer Susan Mammadova of Dare to Darling, her self-made brand that will showcase its fall collection at Fashion Week Minnesota this October. Mammadova and I met for coffee to toss around the visions that came to mind when we heard the words “compositions for a dream.” In its most literal sense, the phrase denotes a “dreamlike” work of music, literature, or art. As a lover of French culture, I couldn’t help but recall the time I spent at Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France two summers ago, the backdrop which served as inspiration for Monet’s famous “Water Lilies” painting and countless other of his Impressionist works. Monet’s Garden quickly became our focal point, as Mammadova began sketching up a sample of a drop waist gown with a full, fluid skirt, rendered in a blend of reflective fabrics and muted, pastel tones.
The final look featured a fitted strapless bodice with a floor-length swinging skirt made from 12 layers of weightless tulle, finished by a sheer scarf in a delicate blue (below). The dress’s romantic, feminine silhouette was just one interpretation of the dreamlike theme. Possibly the best part of the night (aside from the late-night bites by Cardamom and dance party to a set by DJ A Track) was seeing Compositions for a Dream come to life through each attendee’s singular perspective. Whether it was manifested into 3D florals, metallic fringe, or headpieces as tall as Walker’s doortops, creativity was in no short supply throughout this captivating night of fashion. Read on to see our picks for the best (and wildest) dressed attendees of the night.
Hold the Phone
photo by Emma Enebak
Wendy and Amy, the duo known on Instagram as “fashion shenanigans” showed out in custom pieces by House of KLynn, a label owned by local couturier Kathryn Rogers, who has a background working as costume designer on prominent Hollywood films including “Passengers” and “Hidden Figures.”
“She’s a real visionary,” commented Wendy Gulbraa (above right).
As for Gulbraa’s phone-purse? It was gifted to her at a pre-party that night hosted by her friend Richard Moody. “You definitely need this,” he told her. (Because who doesn’t need a phone-purse?)
Creation and Repurpose
photo by Emma Enebak
Amy Seeman (above left), a local fashion stylist and Keiona Cook (above right), local designer and owner of Qe’bella Couture, told two very different yet equally compelling tales with their respective ensembles.
Seeman, clothed in a silver metallic maxi dress from The Fitting Room, showed off her styling prowess by bringing new life to the previously worn piece.
“I had this moment going through my wardrobe before the event where I thought ‘I don’t think that’s it for this piece.’ I think we need to normalize re-wearing statement pieces like this one.”
This time around, she styled the open dress with a neon chartreuse skort, to show off “a bit of leg” and of course, dark cat-eye sunglasses, “to be mysterious.”
Cook, on the other hand, showed off a never-before-worn ensemble, one that she had handmade less than a week prior to the event. The tiered, wire-lined dress was inspired by the fabrics of Ghana, where Cook had recently traveled to.
“It is a celebration of African culture, but with my own silhouette to it,” she shares.
Playing with Textures
Suzanne Casler, the designer behind Hi Hi Creative, made a bold statement with textures, showing off an avant garde 3D dress made from reconstructed tulle (above left). Casler also designed the piece worn by friend Natalie Auger (above right), a similar 3D, asymmetrical piece that transformed Auger into a lifesize flower.
“I wanted to be art,” Auger responded, when asked how her look tied in with the night’s theme.
In Black and White
photo by Emma Enebak
Local designer Jordan Carpenter paid an ode to the theme of dreams with a self-designed gown adorned in silver and black sequins.
“When I think of dreams, I dream in black and white,” shares Carpenter. “So this black and silver color scheme became my focal point.”
Full Moon Energy
photo by Emma Enebak
“It’s a full moon, and it’s in Pisces—a sign for all artists to emerge and be creative,” commented self-proclaimed abstract artist Kasia (above) on her metallic and gold ensemble. The statement headpiece was inspired by this “full moon energy,” intended to “speak to the heart but break boundaries of the mind.”
Midnight Glow
Local designer Andy Vilaisak dressed two models for the event, Fatah Kouraan (above left) and Jarron Williams (above right).
“When pondering dreams, the color blue immediately came to mind,” shares Vilaisak. “That became the guiding force for us.”
Kouraan’s full circle skirt and dropped bodice offered the romantic counterpart to Williams’ sleek, iridescent pantsuit, inspired by actor Jeremy Pope.
A Midsummer Night
photo by Emma Enebak
When asked about her self-designed, head-to-toe gold look, Kathryn (above right) shared that the theme instantly gave her “‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’ feel.” She took to Instagram polls for help deciding on what fabrics and materials to work with.
“People’s responses were pointing in the direction of opulence—lots of satin and monochrome. I decided to take the color gold and run with it.”
A Second Chance at Prom
photo by Susan mammadova
With perhaps the best story of the night, Olio Vintage owner Carrie Martinson showed up in her old prom dress from age 16. She first got the piece in 1996 on a trip to Cannes, France, with her godmother, where they spotted it at the Armani store on the Cannes Boulevard. Her reason for pulling it out tonight?
“I couldn’t think of anything more appropriate for the theme—the visions of gossamer and moonlight—that’s this dress. It was absolutely perfect for the assignment.”
