SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A Fine Surprise! I have had the pleasure of calling Artist Scott Forrest my friend for almost a decade. He brought me in as a new board member at Tahoe Art League when he was president. We really got to know each other on a 10-hour road trip on Highway 395 in June, to visit our mothers in Orange County, both born in 1939. I knew Scott was launching a sneaker/high top collection, with his fabulous art printed on the shoe material, but you cannot believe my shock in the passenger seat when he said, ” Hey, I want you to be a model in my fashion show for my resort wear line!” Wait, what??!! When did he have time to design a line of luxury apparel? I only just got the whole story when I interviewed him at my home for this article, along with his creative director, Diana Hicks, joining on speakerphone.Â
Sewing The Seeds
Our conversation started with some refresher backstory on Scott. He has been in radio, television, stage, modeling, all the high-profile industries. Then his art career took off, and his life in the art scene in New York, Los Angeles, and now Lake Tahoe brought terrific success. He told me how he worked for an interior design firm in Manhattan in 1981; his job was to return swatches to fabric companies. In Los Angeles, he jumped into the Schmatte business–wow, he has some crazy funny stories! As he recounted his personal history in the fashion business, he started opening a big box that he had lugged in. I started in with questions for Diana, waiting patiently for her turn to describe her collaboration with Scott. Call it a family affair, as she married Scott’s cousin, and Scott met her 35 years ago at her graduation from FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. But then Diana’s career took her in a very different path than fashion; I could hear the happiness and enthusiasm as she described how lovely it has been to create and complete the process with Scott, and get back in the fashion world that has always been her real passion. Scott and Diana both exclaimed, “This collection took all these years to find its life!” Mind you, Scott extolled Diana’s part in this venture, “She’s the mortar to it all!”Â
Box of Lovely Things
Scott was excitedly opening shoe boxes and taking garments out of zippered plastic bags, strewing beautiful works of art all over my house. He quickly threw a caftan over my head, cinched it with secret hidden ties inside, and led me to my entryway mirror. Silky and smooth, with a swirling, dreamy, soaring quality of the arty fabric. I can’t tell you how honored and excited I was to be one of the first to see and wear their creations. I noticed the high quality of stitching and felt the flow of the luscious materials that they have used to bring his paintings to life on textiles. He selected 7 paintings of his extensive collection of art for this first collection of wearable art. Dresses, caftans, blouses, one- and two-piece bathing suits, shoes, big beach totes, handbags, menswear, kids’ T-shirts- every item so well-made.Â
Don’t Just Hang It, Wear It!
Scott told me how much thought went into how the painting fits on fabric. The design must be complementary to the shape of the body. It can get wet and dry quickly. It packs small for luggage travel, making it perfect for cruise ships and resort getaways. These are poolside conversation pieces for sure. And the sneakers and high tops (he calls them kicks) are whimsical and fun, also very well-constructed.
From Canvas to Couture
Scott paints in layers and repetitions. His artworks take a long time to paint, and to dry! They are so thick that you put on 3-D glasses and the painting reaches out to you. Guess what? The same special effect happens with his clothing; that is how well they were able to translate art onto fabric. He described the metamorphosis of one of his favorite paintings, Atomic Sunflower, 60 inches by 60 inches. It has been printed onto skis and snowboards, men’s bowties, jacket linings, now clothing and scarves, shoes and kids’ T-shirts. Diana agreed, “This has been a lot of fun!” And considering they started this venture at the beginning of this year, it is truly remarkable that you can see it all on the runway at Reno Tahoe International Art Show VIP Opening Night on Thursday, September 17. Twenty models were specially selected from the Tahoe art scene. I am so excited to be on the catwalk! Fashion Show starts at 8:00 pm. The RTIA Show weekend will be the first opportunity to purchase goods before they hit the retail market.Â
SCOTT FORREST FINE ART STUDIO
RESORT WEAR
Reno Tahoe International Art Show
Reno Sparks Convention Center
September 17-20, 2026
-Michelle Gomez, Tahoe Art League