Artisan Fashion Show centers sustainability

From medieval fairy core dresses to outfits made entirely out of old jeans, the second annual Birdhouse Artisan Fashion Show took over the Rialto on Saturday with flare, swagger and a focus on sustainability.

This year’s Birdhouse Artisan Fashion Show was held on Nov. 15. The 24 artists involved created their own lines of couture pieces for the event.

“It’s going to be a really cool night celebrating sustainability, high fashion and high art all in one,” Maren Stubenvoll said.

Birdhouse Collective was formed in 2024 by a trio of Bozeman artists — Stubenvoll, Mia Thomas and Aubrey Fite. Stubenvoll said the collective builds social networks of local artists and puts on various art events, including the downtown Art Market and the yearly fashion show.

“Our mission is always to provide artists a platform and resources to make a living off of making their art,” Stubenvoll said. “If your way of contributing to the world is through your art, you can make a living doing it.”

According to her, events celebrating art and creativity have never been more important for spreading positivity.

“The world is very scary right now,” she said. “Being creative and whimsical and having this element of fantasy helps bring people together in a way that really does remind them that people are beautiful and our community is beautiful.”

Stubenvoll said the show was open to artists of all mediums who were looking to show their skills through fashion design.

“We had a bunch of people apply and give us sketches, mood boards and design ideas,” Stubenvoll said. “Then we chose your favorites and most elevated and highest quality to be invited to do the show.”

The show began with models walking the runway dressed in the artists’ work. Kristen Pesut moved to Bozeman two months ago and was an artist for this year’s show. She created three total outfits – a fairy, a warrior and a queen —  that combined elements of nature with a medieval style.

“Leaning into a theme is the most fun,” Pesut said. “It's a good exercise in balance and creativity. You want the theme to be understood without it going too costumey.”

One of the goals of the show was for artists to use sustainable or recycled materials. Pesut said she thrifted an array of pillowcases, curtains and tablecloths for her looks.

“Constraints breed creativity, and I had to let the fabric I could find lead the way when it came to the design,” Pesut said.

Brigette Morris, an MSU faculty in the French department who was in the audience, said it was her first time attending a Birdhouse Collective event.

“I didn’t know [Birdhouse Collective] until one of my students raved to me about it,” Morris said. “I appreciate the concept of a collective where artistic students and the community have a place to express their creativity and grow.”

After all the artists’ pieces were shown, the event culminated in a raffle and silent auction. All proceeds from the raffle and a portion of the auction proceeds were donated to Eagle Mount, a local organization dedicated to providing disabled individuals with recreational activities.

“[Eagle Mount] is all about using recreation for increased freedom, individuality and accessibility for the people they work with,” Stubenvoll said. “We do a similar thing where people find their own freedom and individuality through art.”

To learn more about the Birdhouse Collective and its events, visit its website at https://www.thebirdhousecollective.com/.