"Muse" Meets Fashion for Hot Summer Nights

Wilmington, NC, April 07, 2008 --(PR.com)-- When the models for “Hot Summer Nights” fashion show in Wilmington, NC, recently strutted down the runway, they were showing off more than the hip couture from Oliver, an upscale clothing boutique in the same city. They were also helping to introduce the latest collection of limited edition surfboards from ArtCo Surf, a new company launched by artist Clark Hipolito.

“Hot Summer Nights” was held in Mayfaire Town Center earlier this month to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The spotlight was on Oliver’s hot new fashions, and incorporated the “Muse” series surfboards - which feature stylized photographs of shapely nudes. The boards electrified the crowd as the beautiful swim wear models carried them along the runway. ArtCo Surf also helped to sponsor the event by creating all of the promotional posters, advertising and postcards.

“It's always great to work with Ken and Kelly Oliver (owners of Oliver Boutique). They are some of my closest friends and when they approached me with the idea to do the show to benefit breast cancer – I was honored to help contribute in any way possible.”

ArtCo Surf, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, is perhaps best known for its hand-painted, woodgrain surfboards. The “Muse” series is a collection hand shaped surf boards adorned with limited edition original photography images.

For these boards, Hipolito turned to his “muses” – or, as he puts it, “my gorgeous friends who keep me inspired” – who pose for photos that are then printed on rice paper and laminated onto the boards.

“I’ve always been fascinated with figurative art,” he said, “and I’ve always wanted to take it beyond paints on canvas. Since surfboards became a medium, I decided to experiment with it on them. So far, they’ve turned out great. And this way, we can keep the cost down while still offering signed, original art on quality boards.” They intend to produce between 300 and 500 of these boards a year, with prices set between $1200 and $1800 each.

ArtCo Surf will show the “Muse” collection during a special exhibit at DeLuxe restaurant in downtown Wilmington beginning May 23. For more information on the company and its custom surfboard collections, visit. www.artcosurf.com.

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