The Night Ferndale Fell in Love with Fashion

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News, Feb. 15, 2012 ed)

On Valentine’s Day 2012 there was a multiplicity of love at Salon Rehe (205 E. 9 Mile).  The tiny upscale hair salon was amazingly transformed for a unique art experience called Fall in Love with Fashion.

This stylized “pop-up art” exhibit featured multimedia approaches to the subject of loving fashion.

Curator and artist Alvita Lozano put together the exhibit as a fundraiser for the FernCare Free Health Clinic which opened its official location in Ferndale last year.  The clinic is a no-cost way for patients to receive basic medical care, along with referrals for other services.  The clinic currently has a waiting list to get it, and funds are constantly needed to keep patient care ongoing.

Attendees paid a suggested donation of $5, and enjoyed exhibits from several artists as well as tasty Valentine’s treats. The event raised $695 for FernCare.

Joey Merchant was one of the exhibitors.  Her colorful dresses and fabrics are made with photoshopped photographs that are noticeable if one looks closely at the patterns.  She calls them “The Illusion Collection.”  Merchant, who is from Royal Oak, also has plush creations available at Lift in Royal Oak and on her website www.sickfortoys.com.

Rust Belt owner Tiffany Best had a mixed media dress in silver showing at Fall in Love with Fashion, and  Dwane Adle had a Barbie-themed chair on display.

Lozano created the ‘Sod Walk’ which was noticeable upon first walking in.  The high heeled shoes full of candy hearts on special “Live Sod”  grass set the whimsical tone for the exhibit, which also included origami, sculpture and a slideshow.

The slideshow, called “Young Hearts” is the creation of Mario and Rose Suau.  “It shows people in that awkward, self-aware stage where they wonder what fashion might say about them,” said Rose.

Eric Peoples of EPic Images and Digital Art did all of the featured Photography in the event.  “I could not have promoted this event or had any of the images there without his work and partnership,” said organizer Avita Lozano-Frankie.

A never-ending flow of guests came to see the exhibit and show their love for FernCare.  To find out more about FernCare go to www.ferncare.org.