The first trick is to make shrubbery and feathers look like art.
The second, make it look like wearable art.
The Dunedin Fine Arts Center is preparing for its marquee fashion event of the year — Wearable Art Eleven — where any material, any creation and any thing goes.
In its 11th year, the show will have 11 designers, and Lina Teixeira is closing the show.
"To me it's a magical show," said Teixeira.
We spoke to Teixeira in her Clearwater studio in early August as she was prepping her pieces. Her material is unusual, like a deconstructed bath mat for a jacket collar.
"I use foam, chopsticks, straw, feathers, styrofoam, rope," she explained.
Teixeira has an unusual story as well.
She was born in French-speaking Canada to parents who only spoke Portuguese at home until she was 6 year sold. She then married an Italian and moved to the states.
"I appreciate different aspects of different cultures, and I don't define myself as one specific one anymore," said Teixeira.
Her story is reflected in her show theme — “Mundo.”
"Which is my interpretation of different countries either using their folklore costumes as an inspiration or some element of the country," said Teixeira.
Her collection will include tributes to Portugal, the Canada and Scotland.
And there will be a surprise ending.