A vacant storefront at the Ballston Quarter has turned into a public showroom for the work of Marymount University art students this summer.
Several mannequins in the window of the former Union Kitchen space (4238 Wilson Blvd) show off a collaborative project between the university’s Fashion Design program and Ikea. Students used leftover textiles from the retail company to create garments with themes of upcycling and environmental consciousness.
“This collaboration is to enhance awareness of textile recycling practices in an effort to promote sustainability and reusability,” Joe Hicks, director of Marymount’s School of Design and Art.
Notable pieces include a black and pink paneled dress, which junior Logan Voigt made from a double-sided blackout curtain. It was previously displayed at an Ikea exhibit and walked the runway at Marymount’s Portfolio in Motion fashion show last month.
Similarly, a blue ruffled cocktail dress was crafted by junior Alina Mihailescu out of a shower curtain and adorned with handmade white flowers.
The mannequins are visible from the sidewalk, under a sign that still advertises Union Kitchen, which closed in December after five years. The display continues around the corner to highlight the senior thesis work of Marymount’s Graphic and Media Design and Interior Architecture and Design students.
“All of our student work is highlighted during our annual exhibition series branded as SoDA POP, which is a series of events highlighting student work across the School of Design and Art,” Hicks said.
He said the Ballston BID contacted the School of Design and Art “as a strategy to activate some of the vacant storefronts on Wilson Blvd.” The display will be up through Aug. 25.
