A Carmel designer aims to capture the politics of oppression and resistance through fashion.

The shapes are geometric and chunky, and the colors are subtle. They’re pieces Carmel-based designer Domini Anne says were inspired by the current political climate, and the colors speak directly to that: They’re meant to be a commentary on borders and immigration policy, while aiming to reflect diversity.

“I am trying to use all the shades of skin, from geisha white to ebony black,” Anne says. Bright red hues contrast with otherwise muted skin tones, symbolizing blood.

“Many designers have been inspired by the macabre,” she adds. “I’ve included blue and gray shades of corpses, inspired by mass graves, and the first reported death of the child of migrant parents.”

One set of 12 dresses, titled “Handmaid’s Tale” after Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, strives to capture what has resurfaced from the 1985 book as a contemporary theme: women’s control over their bodies.

“The dresses have severe puritanical lines, but within each piece are strong, visible elements of female sexuality, like high thigh-slits or entire backs only covered by netting,” says Anne, 42. “The current administration seems to be doing their best to remove women’s control of their own bodies, but we are the generation that was raised talking openly about our vaginas. What are they going to do, put us back in the closet?”

The Awaken fashion show, organized by Anne along with the nonprofit Community Palette and the Sand City Arts Committee, happens Saturday during the weekend-long West End festival in Sand City.

The show brings together seven designers, aerialists, dancers and musicians in a collaboration that Anne says will be part classic runway fashion show, part performance and part benefit.

(Ticket prices start at $20 and go up to $170 – otherwise it’s a free weekend of arts and culture. After the artists are paid, proceeds will go to the Sand City Arts Committee to help fund their mission of educational programming.)

“We needed to do something that was commentary to essentially ignite in people the joy that exists within their souls, to remind them that creativity is a way to find that peace and joy especially when the world is looking so ominous,” Anne says. “Art is one way to move beyond words and arguments and express through feelings. As the world shifts, art reacts. Art is both political and emotional.”

Her collection, titled “Shadow,” is a collaboration with Seaside-based DJ Hanif Wondir, who composed the musical score for Awaken.

One of show’s other artists, Ericka Engelman, has been a clothing designer on the Monterey Peninsula for over 30 years, producing mostly bridal and evening wear. The pieces she’s making for Awaken allow her to have unfettered creativity – and celebrate the diversity of body types.

“It’s refreshing working on bodies I get to choose,” she says. “I’m working with all body types in this show.”

Engelman’s pieces are more practical, featuring coats and jumpsuits that are meant as summer wear for the Monterey Peninsula – a warm, full-coverage option for cold, foggy nights.

“Each piece is a collection of layers – like what we need to wear on the Central Coast, but it doesn’t have to be sportswear,” she says. “It can be fun. Everything I made feels good on the body,” says Engelman. “I love luxurious fabrics and simple lines with a touch of whimsy.

“We all have our daily uniforms, but often when we stretch ourselves to step out of the comfort zone,” she says, “we look at ourselves differently in ways we haven’t explored before.”

AWAKEN happens at 6pm Saturday, Aug. 18, during the West End Celebration. 430 Ortiz Ave., Sand City. $20-$170. communitypalette.org