Photographer's dream turns Great Salt Lake into high fashion while raising awareness for Utah's iconic lake

SALT LAKE CITY — What started as a dream has become a one-of-a-kind fashion project celebrating the beauty and importance of Utah's Great Salt Lake.

A collaboration between photographer Chris Carlson and student fashion designers has transformed stunning images of the lake into 21 handmade couture creations, all designed to inspire people to care about one of Utah's most important natural treasures.

"I am painstakingly working down to the wire," said student fashion designer Autumn Dohm, as she puts the finishing touches on her creation for the fashion show.

Like many of the designers involved, Dohm spent months bringing her vision to life.

But this isn't just about making a dress. It's about helping save the Great Salt Lake.

"They are to represent all of the beauty and natural aspects that the lake brings ... and the importance of saving the lake," Dohm said.

The project is the result of an actual dream Utah photographer Chris Carlson said he had back in December 2024.

For years, Carlson has photographed the Great Salt Lake, capturing its vibrant colors, wildlife and unique landscapes.

To him, the lake holds deep personal meaning.

"Great Salt Lake, to me, is a sacred place," Carlson said.

Then came an unusual idea. Carlson dreamed his photographs had become fashion designs.

"My vision was to create a piece of couture clothing that helped people understand the issues of the lake," he said.

That vision eventually became a partnership with fashion design students from Utah State University and Salt Lake Community College.

Bringing the lake to life

The project challenged student designers to transform different elements of the lake into wearable art.

"I had 21 concepts based on the ecology of the lake, the wildlife, the minerals of the lake, the landscapes (and) all the textures," Carlson said.

The result is a collection of 21 unique handmade looks, each representing a different aspect of the Great Salt Lake.

Some dresses took hundreds of hours to complete, turning sketches and ideas into runway-ready works of art.

"It has blown up into a massive production and a work of love for everybody involved," Dohm said.

For Carlson, the project has always been about more than clothing. He hopes the designs keep the conversation about the Great Salt Lake alive long after the runway lights dim.

"My mission really is to keep Great Salt Lake in the cultural conversation," Carlson said.

It's a mission the student designers have fully embraced.

"My overall goal in being a designer is to do exactly this, to make and design looks that bring attention and awareness to natural issues," Dohm said.

The collection demonstrates how creativity can become a powerful tool for conservation, connecting art, fashion and environmental awareness in a way few people have seen before.

The runway show takes place Saturday night at This Is The Place Heritage Park.

Tickets have already sold out.

Organizers said the project has already raised more than $250,000 to support Great Salt Lake Rising, helping fund efforts to protect and preserve the Great Salt Lake.