By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 4/26/26 – Palm Springs was already buzzing with anticipation for Metropolitan Fashion Week, but just down the street from my home, an intimate pre-event at Artier Fine Art Gallery offered a revealing, and inspiring, look at the creativity behind the runway.
Metropolitan Fashion Week Director Eduardo Khawam shared the story behind the piece during our conversation. “A few years ago, we had a show in Seattle and Los Angeles, and we received the canvas as a donation,” he explained. “We created a dress and paired it with artists. One of them painted directly onto it.”
The artwork itself became a collaboration across disciplines. The original artist, Monica Kitcha, conceptualized the piece, while painter Weaver brought the final vision to life by hand. The result is a stunning fusion of fine art and couture, exactly the kind of innovation Metropolitan Fashion Week is known for.
Inside Artier Gallery: A Global Vision in Palm Springs
“I felt like we needed a variety of voices and different lines, different perspectives,” he shared. “We wanted to step a little bit away from the expected and bring in artists from around the world.”
That vision is reflected in the gallery’s diverse roster, featuring artists from Italy, France, Spain, Slovenia, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, and across the United States. His goal? To elevate the level of international art accessible in Palm Springs while still honoring the community’s deep appreciation for culture.
Despite being based in Pasadena, he makes the trip to Palm Springs frequently, often twice a week, to stay connected. “It’s important for me to see what’s happening in the community,” he said. “That connection inspires how we curate and evolve.”
Even the desert heat doesn’t slow things down. While summer hours may be reduced, the gallery remains open continuing to serve as a cultural hub year-round.
Among the attendees was model Ashley Perkins, whose story perfectly captures the spirit of opportunity and spontaneity surrounding Metropolitan Fashion Week.
When asked how she connected with Eduardo Khawam, she laughed and credited pure chance. “Honestly, a lot of serendipity,” she said. “I was at the library in Rancho Mirage, and somehow, that led me here.”
Ashley, who recently launched her modeling Instagram under the name High Fashion Cowgirl, is embracing this new chapter with enthusiasm. “I’ve done a little modeling when I was younger, but now I’m just going for it,” she shared.
Her life, however, is far from one-dimensional. A business student balancing school and creative pursuits, Ashley also dedicates time to volunteering at a Mustang rescue. “I like having that balance,” she said, reflecting a grounded perspective that contrasts beautifully with the glamour of the runway.
She also teased an upcoming photoshoot at the iconic Frey House II, adding yet another layer of Palm Springs architectural influence to her growing portfolio.
Designer Julie Danforth, who was also present at the gallery, emphasized how storytelling is central to this year’s collections, each piece weaving together cinematic inspiration and contemporary design.
The Main Event: “The Way You Look Tonight”
Directed by Eduardo Khawam, the runway will feature celebrity designer Douglas Tapia, hat designer Arturo Rios, and artist Gerardo Labarca. Live performances by Richard Shelton and Kendall Jo will transport audiences through iconic cinematic moments, while a “Rat Pack Fashion” segment brings timeless menswear into the modern era.
As the sun sets behind the Palm Springs mountains, the estate’s iconic piano-shaped pool becomes a runway backdrop, showcasing swimwear by Parke & Ronen and ADICORA Swimwear, along with an artistic finale inspired by Palm Springs artist Shag.
Beyond the glamour, the evening supports The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, reinforcing the event’s commitment to community, connection, and inclusion.
Metropolitan Fashion Week continues to redefine the runway by merging fashion, art, architecture, and philanthropy. And if the Artier Gallery preview is any indication, Palm Springs is about to experience a night where creativity knows no boundaries, and where every piece, whether on canvas or runway, tells a story worth celebrating.
