ArtServe Presents Walk The Runway - Showcasing Local Fashion Designers To Celebrate Sustainable Fashion And Local Design Culture

Generously supported by Broward County Cultural Division, The Elizabeth Cotter Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward, Hudson Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward and Topo Chico, “Walk the Runway” will showcase one-of-a-kind garments, accessories, shoes and more, created by South Florida artists and fashion designers. From hand-knit sweaters and painted sneakers to custom jewelry and upcycled couture, the exhibition explores fashion as a vibrant form of personal expression and cultural commentary.

Featured Solo Artist: Chelsea Rousso

Among the solo exhibitions, ArtServe will present the work of Artist and fashion designer Chelsea Rousso, whose installation will feature her whimsical and thought-provoking Alice in Wonderland collection. Known for her bold use of color, texture and storytelling, Rousso’s work blurs the line between fantasy and fashion, inviting viewers into a surreal world of wearable art. Her pieces reflect her background in both fine art and fashion design, and her commitment to pushing creative boundaries.

Young At Art’s “Reef Restyled” Returns:

“Walk the Runway” will also feature selected pieces from Young At Art Museum’s 18th Annual Recycled Fashion Show, “Reef Restyled,” a teen-led fashion fundraiser that brought sustainability and ocean advocacy to the runway earlier this Spring. This year’s “Reef Restyled” featured 17 young artists, all high school-aged, who created garments made of at least 75% upcycled or recycled materials. The recycled, reef-inspired creations were crafted from beach debris, thrifted materials and secondhand fabrics, offering a bold and beautiful look at the intersection of environmental activism and fashion design.

“Fashion as a form of storytelling,” said ArtServe CEO Jason Hughes. “Each stitch, silhouette, and fabric choice tells a story of identity, culture and vision. This exhibit celebrates both emerging and established designers who are shaping our community’s creative identity and driving change through art.”

As Broward County’s premier arts and culture incubator, ArtServe is committed to uplifting local artists and making art accessible to all. From free exhibitions and receptions to business workshops for underserved communities, ArtServe believes creativity should be a catalyst for opportunity.

ArtServe is located at 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304 and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Daily admission is Free. For more information about these events, or to become a member, volunteer, or support ArtServe’s mission, please visit: www.artserve.org - Or email: membership@artserve.org.

About ArtServe

Named a “Top-Rated NonProfit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and NonProfits, Fort Lauderdale-based ArtServe is an award-winning arts incubator advancing the arts for social good as a creative laboratory and hub for experimental artists committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Now in its 36th year, ArtServe has won multiple awards for innovation in the arts and is supported in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Community Foundation of Broward. In 2025, ArtServe was named Non-Profit Organization of the Year: The Arts by 211 Broward. Each year, ArtServe helps 2,000+ artists sell their work, build businesses, and connect with the community through exhibitions, education, and events.

To RSVP for the reception, visit: www.artserve.org/upcoming-events/runway/.