Vote for Your Favorite Samurai Style - "Beyond The Armor"

The DIA strives to bring culture to our community not only through their amazing museum, but also through community involvement. The museum currently has an exhibit on display entitled "Samurai: Beyond the Sword" which features military arts and the Samurai engagement in Japanese culture. In addition to the exhibit in the DIA, they have also teamed up with the Detroit Garment Group Guild to put on a competition called "Beyond the Armor".

Beyond the Armor is a competition that challenged local fashion designers to create an outfit inspired by the exhibit. The competition began earlier this spring and the participants have been narrowed down to 10 finalists. Those finalists include a couple of our favorite local designers, Kelly Lynne Sager and Sarah Lapinski. The designers have been highlighting their design experience through photos and video blogs that you can check out here.

The entire competition leads up to a fashion show at the DIA on Saturday, May 17th at Noon. However, until then, the pieces have been travelling throughout Metro Detroit and have been on display in various arenas. They are currently being shown at Ikea in Canton and we urge you to go out and see these amazing creations for yourself. They truly are works of art. Plus, while on site, you can vote for your favorite! The votes will be tallied up and will determine the winner, who will be announced at the fashion show on the 17th. But, if you want to get out and see these ensembles with your own eyes you have to hurry! They will only be on display through Monday, May 12th. If you can't make the hike to Canton before then, you can head over to the DG3 site to check out the designs and cast your vote. Choose wisely though, as you can only vote once per email address.

Amazing work to all of the designers involved! For more information on the DIA and the exhibit that inspired this contest, click here.

~C