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KMAC Couture is a wearable live art runway show presented by KMAC Museum. It is the signature fundraiser for KMAC Museum that provides funding for the Museum's educational programs and exhibitions. This event offers a unique way to experience art and fashion. KMAC Couture features and supports emerging and established artists, costumers, designers, and milliners through the extraordinary presentation of original couture pieces of wearable art and conceptual fashion designs. All of the proceeds from KMAC Couture tickets, and the money raised during the event goes directly toward supporting our programming and so we welcome any contributions. If you have any interest in becoming a sponsor for this year's event you can find more information here.

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KMAC Couture Quick Links

Look forward to art walking the runway this April 13th, 2024!

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Interested in being a Volunteer at KMAC Couture 2024? 
We are still looking  to  fill crucial volunteer roles!


All of the Main KMAC Couture Volunteer positions receive:

  • Standing Room to KMAC Couture 2024

  • Tickets to the KMAC Couture afterparty for yourself and one (1) friend!

Signing up for more information does not guarantee that you will be accepted for a volunteer position at KMAC Couture 2024. If volunteer positions are still available, an email will be sent to you within 2-3 business days with more information.

KMAC Couture 2024

"Runway for the Roses"
 

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Title Sponsor

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In recognition of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2024, the 12th edition of KMAC
Couture will honor one of Louisville’s most famous institutions and most notable traditions. For
generations, the pageantry and fashion that accompanies the annual Run for the Roses has
been a grand celebration of what many refer to as “the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.”
While it is an event that brings together many different cultures from around the globe, it
showcases a particularly exotic grandeur and snazzy decadence that could only come from
Kentucky. Like the Derby, KMAC Couture is set in the heart of the Spring season, and this year’s
theme looks to the resplendence of the time-honored event that occurs each year under the
twin spires of Churchill Downs, along with the bright colors, hats, flowers, mint juleps, and
horses that make our city and region one of the most unique in the world.


The rose has a place throughout art history as a symbol for power, royalty, beauty, love,
sensuality, and mysticism. Soon after the first race in 1875, the rose quickly became the official
flower of the Kentucky Derby. Every year, for over a century, at America’s most historic track, a
lush garland of 554 red roses continues to be draped over the greatest equine champions.


This year, KMAC encourages designers to think about and create an extraordinary wearable
artwork that harmonizes with the sartorial image of Louisville on the first Saturday in May. The
strongest submissions will incorporate an element of wonder or surprise. With 150 years of
fashions to inspire your design, a look could allude to the original formal wear of the Derby, the
over the top Edwardian opulence of long dresses and wide brimmed hats for women (often
trimmed in feathers or even completely stuffed birds, or adorned with ribbons and flowers) and
dark, well fitted suits for men that featured various combinations of top hats, bowler hats, bow
ties, ascots, and high buttoned up collars. While some of these styles are still referenced today,
there have been many updates throughout the years to match the modern era, particularly with
the infusion of bright colors for men and dresses with more contemporary silhouettes.


We look forward to seeing you on April 13, 2024 for KMAC Couture Runway for the Roses.

-Joey Yates

KMAC Museum Curatorial Director

Submissions for KMAC Couture 2024 are closed!

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