Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, 6 - 10 p.m.
The Morgan Conservatory is hosting our third annual paper fashion fundraiser!
Dress to IMPRESS is a gorgeous night of wild paper fashion featuring a juried red carpet runway show, art exhibition,
silent & online auctions, finger food, DJ, post-event dance party, and more!
2026 Theme: Brave New Worlds
Welcome to Brave New Worlds, a hyper-stylish and fashion-forward era that embraces multiple and new realities. The world of fashion has consistently served as a mirror to society, reflecting current moods, social movements, and cultural paradigms. In Brave New Worlds, dystopian fashions will express concerns for the future and societal turbulence with a “new possible” stepping forth.
More than 15 artist-designers are addressing this bold theme creating ensembles incorporating a combination of traditional and innovative materials with paper and printed matter as major “ingredients”. Brave New Worlds will present a profound statement about our current society and the potential paths we might take. It invites us to contemplate the world we live in presently and the new world we wish to enter.
At once futuristic and somehow timeless, artists are invited to explore dystopian themes and possible futures through paper fashion and wearable art – whether it’s dark and avant-garde designs combining draped silhouettes with rough materials, evoking a post-apocalyptic aesthetic, a deconstructed uniform that is both rugged and futuristic, playing with volume, shape, and structure to craft a visionary interpretation of fashion or a typically minimalist and futuristic aesthetic. Beyond aesthetics, fashions and artworks should raise questions about our society and its future, stimulating reflection and provoking discussions about the environment, technology, and human interaction in an increasingly connected, yet often alienated and alienating world.
CALL FOR ART
The Morgan Conservatory is seeking artworks to be displayed in conjunction with our Dress to IMPRESS Paper Fashion Show & Fundraiser on view from September 23rd to October 24th, 2026.The Gallery is looking for wall art that explores dystopian themes and possible futures through paper and print-focused mediums.
Artists can welcome to submit up to three entries.
Submissions Due: Saturday, August 22nd at 11:59 p.m. EST
Notification of Acceptance: Saturday, August 29th
To learn more, see link below:
https://form.jotform.com/261595036810154
For EXHIBITION QUESTIONS, please email Gallery Manager, Celeste, at celeste@morganconservatory.org.
Doors open at 6 p.m., the fashion walk begins at 7 p.m., with prizes for first place, runner up, and best-dressed attendee. We will have a cash bar, delightful finger food, silent & online auctions, DJ NicNacc, a red carpet runway show, and more! There is ample parking at the rear of our building, off of East 45th Street. Last year's event was a smash success ~ we can't wait to see you there!
Tickets go on sale August 15th.
Be An IMPRESSive Sponsor
Dress to IMPRESS is a FUNdraising event, but our goal isn't met through ticket sales alone.
If you believe that paper & book arts enrich the lives of people of all ages, then we hope you'll consider supporting the Morgan's mission to make papermaking, printmaking, and book arts accessible to all.
We deeply appreciate your support!
VOLUNTEER!
If you would like to help us get ready for the event during the week - decorating, cleaning, preparing auction items - or to help during the event itself so everything runs smoothly - greeters, food runners, ticket tables, etc. - please email Maria at volunteer@morganconservatory.org.
Volunteers get a free ticket to the event, while meeting and working with our other volunteers and staff, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at this incredibly fun and creative event!
We will need volunteers during the week (Tuesday through Friday), and on Saturday from 11a.m, through the end of the event. Please let us know your availability, and any tasks you do (or don't) want. THANK YOU!!