The runway exploded with color and form August 11 during Dunedin Fine Art Center’s annual fashion show, Wearable Art 8, where local designers and artists crafted styles from traditional and radical materials.

Natasha Richards, former Miss Gay USA, served as emcee for this inspiring evening at the cutting edge of design, and ARTICULATE photographer Chuckie Bandel was there to capture the action.

(Natasha Richards)

Rogerio Martins, inspired by birds of the Amazon rain forest, presented his "Predatory” collection to audience acclaim.

(Fashion by Rogerio Martins)

Rocky and Kathleen Bridges combined fantasy and industrial objects in their collection titled, “From Rags to Bitches.”

(Fashion by Rocky and Kathleen Bridges)

Mark Byrne and Funny Money Productions stretched the boundaries of balloons into outrageous dresses.

(Fashion by Mark Byrne)

Scott Durfee and George Medeiros crafted a collection from sustainable and discarded materials.

(Fashions by Scott Durfee and George Medeiros)

Michael Della Penna brought 3-D abstraction to the runway with his “Aluminum Fashion Experiment.”

(Fashions by Michael Della Penna)

Johnny Hunt turned fashion into commentary with his collection made from second-hand roofing materials.

(Fashion by Johnny Hunt)

The Garden Fairies, collaborating with SHAMc, recycled trash into treasure with their “Hula Royalty” collection woven from plastic ornaments, inner tubes and straws.

(Fashion by The Garden Fairies)

Learn more about upcoming Dunedin Fine Art Center events and programs at their website, www.DFAC.org.