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Sweat It Out

Searching for a fabulous fusion of fashion, music and art? You're getting warmer.

Photos from Sweatshop/Tribune files

Sweatshop Strikes Back shines its white-hot spotlight on local luminaries in the worlds of fashion, art and music.

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By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

Updated: 08/29/2008 12:23 pm

TAMPA - It's time to feel the heat with the return of Sweatshop.

Tampa-area tastemakers Vanessa Fernandez, Ben Chmura, Raven Reda and Kamran Mir will team up Sunday for a second go-'round of their stylish multimedia mash-up, which combines local art, music and fashion.

The holiday weekend extravaganza, "Sweatshop Strikes Back," takes over the Czar nightclub in Ybor City. The one-night-only event promises a spectacle of sensory overload with a series of runway fashion shows paired with live musical performances, plus walls that are covered with original art.

The latest collections from designers Chmura, Reda, Caitlin Kerins and Sylvio Roubertto will be set to live performances by local bands The Dark Romantics and Giddy-Up Helicopter!, along with DJs Ryan and Maynard, Adam Smith and Mega.

"There's a sense of satisfaction to bring this together and bring creative energy to the environment," says Reda, who will showcase new designs from her clothing line Suspicious Pkg. "There is no reason we can't make things happen here."

Supporting local artists and musicians is an investment in the community, says Fernandez, Sweatshop's art curator.

"We're putting forth our best effort to get people out and interested in the arts," she says. "Somebody has to care. Unless you support the artists, they will go away."

Sweatshop participants say the event's multimedia format stokes their creative fires, providing a unique platform for well-known and emerging local artists, musicians and designers to showcase their work.

"This is something that is a one-of-a-kind event. It's really our opportunity to have our own rules," says Chmura, who will reveal his new collection, Azteca, at Sweatshop. "You can't ask for anything more than that. We've all worked very hard and want people to come out and enjoy themselves."

DESIGNERS DISH

These Tampa-area designers are bringing their latest collections to the runway. (One-of-a-kind pieces will be available for sale.)

Ben Chmura's "Azteca": Aztec-inspired natural fibers with a futuristic styling.

Raven Reda's "Suspicious Pkg.": '70s London punk with vintage flair.

Plus a guest designer showcase featuring emerging designers Caitlin Kerins and Sylvio Roubertto.

ARTISTS ON DISPLAY

Check the walls around Czar for the latest creations from a Who's Who of the local arts scene. Sweatshop will feature works from Theo Wujcik, Brandon Dunlap, Melissa Fair, Daniel Williams, Nick Gomez, Kyle Toops, Jedd Lancaster, Smile Maker, Lynda Bostrom, Chris Parks, Melisa Taylor, Jonathan Vaughn, Heather Dykstra, Caia Koopman, James Dormer, Cassia Kite and Anthony Yankovic.

MUSIC MAKERS

Feel the groove of local bands and turntablists throughout the evening. Two live 45-minute sets include 15 minutes full of fashion, plus beats from DJs will accompany the guest designers.

The Dark Romantics (11 p.m.): Dramatic pop-rockers will set the runway tone for designer Ben Chmura.

DJ Medley(12:15 a.m.): DJs Mega, Adam Smith and Ryan and Maynard will hold it down for Caitlin Kerins Couture and Sylvio Roubertto.

Giddy-Up Helicopter! (1 a.m.): Indie-rockers will debut tracks off their new album during designer Raven Reda's show.

EVENT PREVIEW

Sweatshop

WHAT: Three runway fashion shows set to live music and DJs, alongside an art exhibit.

WHEN: 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday

WHERE: Czar, 1420 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa

TICKETS: $12-$14; (813) 247-2664

MORE INFO: www.myspace.com/sweatshopstrikesback

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.

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