Making Old New Again
The Museum at FIT launched their latest exhibition a few weeks ago titled "Fashion Unraveled". It is a beautiful celebration of deconstruction and repurposing. We know you're as tired of the word 'repurpose' as we were of Despacito at this time last year, but this is not an exhibition trying to capitalize on the sustainable fashion movement. This exhibit serves as a reminder that not too long ago, we relished that worn again and again (and again) look. It's just a happy accident the theme of this show aligns well with the current conversation about consumerism in the area of fashion. In creating Fashion Unraveled, what Colleen Hill, head curator, supports more than sustainability is the reconnection to what we're buying. Invest in clothes that mean something to you instead of the buy, try, dispose mentality brought to you by the fast fashion retailers.
Hill features designers like Martin Margiela, one of the OG 'deconstructionists'. The Margiela Tabi boot, on display, was designed with the deliberateness of long-term wear and it distresses in such a way over time that keeps it looking current. Fashion Unraveled also represents designers like Mimi Prober who repurposes vintage clothing for new designs and Betsy Johnson who has a jumpsuit on display created from her ex-partners discarded rugby shirt.
Another designer is Lamine Kouyate who uses his Malian heritage as a guidepost in how he designs. He says "It's an African philosophy to use things up. You don't waste anything, but create new from old." We're on the same page Lamine! Check out Fashion Unraveled, open now through November. Perhaps you'll be inspired to find new within the old in your own closet.
You may also enjoy
-
Rewriting Fashion Through Slow Fashion Fridays
In the spirit of spring cleaning and Earth Month, Sarah Marie Day, editor and co-founder of Luméra Magazine, and Britt Bergmeister, model, and founder of On Duty Citizen, are building...
-
Don’t Sell, Just Swap…or Rent?
Clothing swaps aren’t a new concept. If you had a sibling growing up, you probably have closet-sharing in your veins. However, the concept of swapping clothes has evolved into a...
-
Over Florals? Rent These 5 Prints Instead.
Is wearing florals in the spring becoming a fashion faux pas? That’s to be debated, but here's the scoop: according to @databutmakeitfashion, floral fashion has decreased by 15% this month,...