Revive: April 24th
What is A2W?
Art2WearTM (A2W) is an educational event where students gain experience by coordinating and producing an annual wearable art production. Young designers are challenged to imagine, create, and inspire by expressing their point of view through wearable art. This highly anticipated show fuses the talents of several departments in the College of Design and beyond, exposing student designers to the broader field of wearable art, digital media production, and fashion. A2W attracts attendees from all over the Triangle by encouraging participation through engaging the student body, the Raleigh community, and the broader design industry.
Mission
Our mission is to inspire and empower students to explore the art of wearable creations by providing a platform for them to express their creativity and push the boundaries of traditional art forms. Through collaboration, innovation, and education, we aim to create a community that values and celebrates the intersection of art, fashion, and the digital world. We strive to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages personal growth and expression, and to showcase the power of wearable art as a medium for storytelling.
The Vision for 2025
Our vision is to inspire a new generation of artists and designers to use wearable art as a canvas to create unique, imaginative, and thought-provoking pieces that challenge conventional ideas of fashion and art. We hope to encourage the blend of physical and digital construction to push the imaginations of the next generation of designers.
This year, we are transforming Art2Wear in a new way, blurring the lines between performance and art. Art2Wear 2025 reinvents the traditional runway show, turning the beautiful Gregg Museum of Art and Design into a dynamic stage for wearable art. The models are stationed as living exhibits throughout the museum, inviting the audience to explore, engage, and appreciate the craftsmanship, designs, and ideas of NC State students up close.
As you move through the gallery, you’ll embark on an immersive journey that challenges what art can truly be. Each space highlights a distinct vision, with models embodying pieces that push a story and a specific vision, fully created by student designers within the Art2Wear program. From intricate handwork to cutting-edge pieces, every design is a testament to the craftsmanship, innovation, and bold ideas of students.
Wearable Art & Technology
Wearable art is a product or sculptural piece that interacts with the body and serves as either a cultural artifact, an artistic expression, a reflector of society, outward illustration of a person’s identity, starter of revolutions, economic building block, basic human need, or body covering. Technology serves to enhance and elevate the story of these wearable pieces through digital storytelling, immersion, or to push the boundaries of what “wearable” means.
