The audience choice award, a $250 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card also went to a local designer, Amanda Helmsing, for her ensemble made from fabric she designed herself from antique photographs and chicken wire.

To see some of the incredible designs presented on Friday, visit the Project IMA set on Flickr. Is your favorite dress not pictured? You can add your photos from the event to the Flickr group pool for Project IMA. As the week goes on, designer names and the materials utilized will be added. And for additional information, check out Nuvo’s review of the event.

After the shows- the designers rocked out at the “Behind the Seams” after-party sponsored by Fashion Arts Society with the generous support of American Surety Company. Guests and artists alike mingled, posed for GotShot and grooved to the sounds of Beta Male.

I hope everyone had a good time- I know I did. Thank you to all the designers, models, hair and make-up talent who volunteered their time in making Project IMA: Fashion Unbound an unforgettable event. We could not have done it without you.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

The call for artist participation for Project IMA: Fashion Unbound closed August 27, and I am pleased to announce that over 40 designers and artists with over 50 pieces were selected. Some designs proposed are just kernels that will pop into shape, while others entered projects that are already constructed and are just waiting to be served… to you, that is.

So mark your calendars for a delightful feast of design and ingenuity to be presented to you on the Toby stage on October 22 at 7 pm or 8 pm.

You can purchase tickets here: http://www.imamuseum.org/projectima

But that’s not all!– for all of you who just can’t get enough, come to the official Project IMA After Party, sponsored by the newest IMA affiliate group, the Fashion Arts Society. Get a glimpse Behind the Seams, with a chance to meet designers and view their pieces off the stage and in person. Live entertainment, cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. The ticket for the after party also includes admission to the runway show, prêt-ty nice…

Oh! And don’t forget to dress your best for the fête, showing off your own creativity.

Just because you’re not on the runway doesn’t mean you can’t look like it. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Parades Are Really Hard Work -
On Procession is just 2 weeks away. This seems almost incomprehensibly imminent. After nearly 2 years of hard work, the IMA is ready to take art into the streets of Indianapolis for an exhibition on parade. From porta-potties to posters, participants to police the logistics of organizing a parade have been challenging and at times, overwhelming. And the real kicker is that the parade’s success is dependant as much on Mother Nature as it is on the last few months of hard work. Rain or shine, hell or high water we’re having this event. I’m certain that on April 26 we’re going to see the streets of Fountain Square flooded with people and not rain!

People Love Swag – The T-shirt contest is a real hit. In fact, it’s such a big success that we’re considering producing more IMA blog-related items. If you have thoughts as to what kind of additional swag you’d like to receive from the IMA, please comment on this entry. We’re open to any and all ideas – the cleverer the better. Oh and by the way, does anyone know where we can purchase a t-shirt gun?

Project IMA = Huge Crowd – Last Friday night we had almost 2,000 people attend Project IMA. It was exciting to see so many people at the museum in support of fashion art and local designers. Filled to the brim with the hippest folks in the city, the IMA was FIERCE (to borrow a word from the most recent Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano). In fact, the event was so well attended that we reached max capacity for the show almost 30 minutes before it actually began.

I Bummed I’m Missing MW2008 – I’m looking forward to a full report from my colleagues who are attending MW2008 this year in Montreal. Social Media, User-Generated Content, New Media Art AND CANADA…seriously, I’m a geek for this stuff. If you find yourself in Montreal near the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure, you should stop by. On Friday, the Nugget Factory’s very own Dan Dark will be part of a large group conducting a mini-workshop about YouTube.

Well, winter weather be damned. Here’s a day-by-day plan to heat up your weekend, despite the frigid temps.

On Thursday, Enjoy a Cocktail – Nothing says warm weather like a fruity drink. After work today, start your weekend early by grabbing a cocktail at Puck’s Happy Hour. As you sip your Orange Crush or Pomegranate Martini, close your eyes and imagine strolling along a beach or lounging by the pool. Once you have finished your drink and awakened from your daydream, stay warm by strolling through the galleries or enjoying a talk about the “Art of the Parade” with Alison Heimstead. (Learn more about Alison Heimstead, by clicking here.)

On Friday, Strut your Stuff –Don’t miss the “haute”est show in town. Friday night, the IMA heats things up with Project IMA – a runway show featuring the outrageous / beautiful / irreverent / glamorous designs of 16 fashion designers from the Indianapolis area (pictured below). The event is free and starts at 7:00 pm. Between the fashion and the music of DJ Stefan, it’s going to be one sizzling Friday night. (Learn more about Project IMA, by clicking here.)

On Saturday, Explore the Great Indoors – You don’t have to be outside to enjoy nature. Despite the lingering winter outside, our galleries are filled with scenes of spring. Need a little sunshine? Try a sunny, bucolic landscape in our American and European galleries. Yet to see a bloom in your garden? The Asian galleries are filled with colorful blossoms. (Explore the IMA’s Great Indoors from home, by clicking here.)

On Sunday, Step Back in Time – Visit Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens on Sunday. As you stroll through the sunlit home, imagine the Lillys gathered on a warm summer’s day almost a century ago. Can you see the family dressed head-to-toe in white playing a game of croquet on the front allée of the mansion? Drift back to present day by wandering over to the warm haven of the greenhouse. Breathe in the fragrant air sweetened by an abundance of blooming flowers. (Learn more about Oldfields – Lilly House and Gardens by clicking here.)

So there you go, 4 days and 4 ways to celebrate spring regardless of the weather. If Mother Nature can’t provide, then the IMA will. Hmmm…That sounds like a pretty good t-shirt slogan, if you ask me.