Saturday, October 3, 2026, 6 - 10 p.m.
2026 Call For Designers & Artists
The Morgan Conservatory is hosting our third annual paper fashion fundraiser!
Dress to IMPRESS is a night of exotic and wild paper fashions and wearable art, celebrating paper and print as fashion.
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.
Artists are invited to use 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.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: May 23, 2026
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.
QUESTIONS: Email Diana at diana@morganconservatory.org
---- More Information For Designers ----
The Morgan Conservatory can provide handmade paper and "found" papers to all designer-participants (some made during our 2024 Paper Marathon, as well as "thirds" from our Store, schematic drawings, color paper of various sizes, and NYT book reviews of the early 1900s). Your fashion or wearable art should highlight paper (and print) as a principle "ingredient", though paper does not have to be the exclusive material employed (some examples: combining fabric and paper through sewing; using structural/sculptural materials for armature; working from the shell of another garment by adding print & paper elements, etc.). Manipulating the paper in any and all ways is highly encouraged.
Donated sheets of paper for designers are ~12" x 18" or larger.
Images of your completed fashion or wearable art and social media tags may be requested as early as August 5th to help promote the event.
For DESIGNER QUESTIONS, please contact Diana: marketing@morganconservatory.org or call us at 216-361-9255. You can also stop by our Store to touch & feel paper, Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
---- More Information For Artists----
The Morgan Conservatory is seeking artworks to display for the month of October during our fashion event.
Artists may enter up to 3 artworks. Artworks must employ at least 50% paper and address the theme: Brave New Worlds.
Artworks will be on display September 23rd - October 24th.
Deadline for entry: August 3rd, 2026
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 foods, artworks available for sale, silent auction EXPERIENCES, a photo booth, DJ NicNacc, a red carpet, 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 11am through the end of the event. Please let us know your availability, and any tasks you do (or don't) want. THANK YOU!!