Fashion Garments

Greg Addison isn’t just focusing on clothes during this Sunday’s fashion show at the Taubman Museum of Art.

The hairstylist and owner of Salem’s Hair Attitudes Salon, Addison — who has been directing fashion shows since 1995 — also is incorporating hair, art and dance into the event.

The three-hour show starts at 7 p.m. and will feature more than 50 models wearing clothes from Roanoke-area boutiques, sporting hairdos designed and styled by regional hairstylists.

The show, titled “Merge,” is in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition “Posing Beauty in African-American Culture” and will feature mainly black fashion and hair styles. However, Addison said there are also a few white models, and he said he is looking for Asian models as well.

“I’m excited because we get the opportunity to show what we have to offer and come to the forefront in the community,” backstage coordinator Antonio Hash said. “But it’s not just about our culture. It’s diverse.”

“Merge” will feature a 45-minute hair show, an intermission for attendees to visit the museum’s galleries and a 45-minute fashion show. The models, both male and female, range in age from 17 to 60. Addison estimated that 75 percent of the models are his clients, and others are local models or strangers he pulled off the street.

Addison, a Roanoke County resident, has been styling hair for 22 years. During the show, he will showcase both “consumable” hair, which can be worn daily, and “hair art,” which is more intricate.

“There will be some pieces where you’ll be like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know you could do that with hair,’ ” Addison said.

Addison said for such pieces he will sometimes use hair extensions, beading, jewelry or netting.

During the first half of the show, audiences should expect to see costumes, choreography, skits and dance routines that will spotlight the hairstyles.

Addison, Brandon Hunt and Eric Richardson from Hair Attitudes will work with other Salem hair artists, including Joanne Cook of Beauty WithIn Salon and Dakota Carrington of Carrington’s Salon. Dyon Williams of Dyon’s Barber Shop in Roanoke also will design and style pieces.

Outfits for the fashion show will be provided by several businesses, including Bride’s House and Formals in Roanoke, and She’s International and Millie’s in Salem. Carl Trogdon, a Baltimore-based men’s apparel designer, also will be featured in the show. Clothing will range from sportswear to formal wear. She’s International owner Diane Speaks will be the commentator.

The show’s goal, like the “Posing Beauty” exhibit, is to “educate and enlighten.”

The Taubman’s Director of External Affairs Kimberly Templeton said the museum “is excited to host ‘Merge’ to celebrate African-American culture and style with what is certain to be a fabulous show featuring today’s hair trends and cutting-edge fashion as art forms in their own right.”

“We hope that ‘Merge,’ and events like it, will help us to reach out to new audiences and expand our support base,” she said.