Summary

Redefining, Redesigning Fashion

The collection is a response to the global diet of mass consumerism and the throwaway society. It challenges the notion of old clothes being of no use and destined for landfills and Op Shops. It brings new life and optimism for discarded clothes, placing them in a contemporary context with the intention to preserve the memory of the particular association to the person who created or wore them, and how they were restored.

The body pieces were created from two recycled 100% Australian Marino wool Aran jumpers by, cutting, folding, draping, wrapping, and cocooning the body without sewing, buttons or zips. The value of the collection is in the handmade quality, versatility,and the beauty and utility of (slow) fashion created to last.

Viewers are invited to consider the use of materials and techniques, where they come from, the effects of the pieces on the body, how they are worn, and their ecological footprints.

Organisation

Team

Vishna Collins is a Sydney based independent curator, designer and arts writer. She holds a Fashion Design Diploma from East Sydney Technical College, Bachelor of Education (Visual Arts) from College of Fine Arts (COFA) The University of New South Wales, and a Master of Museum Studies from Macquarie University. She is an award winning international designer. In 2006 she was awarded a Silver Medal in the XIII International Lace Biennale, Sansepolcro, Italy.

She has curated textiles and fashion exhibitions such as the 2010 Buda Contemporary Textiles Awards exhibition in Castlemaine, Victoria, and 2006 “Blurring the Boundaries: Fashion Design Innovation in Contemporary Knitting” international fashion exhibition at Fairfield City Museum & Gallery in Sydney.

Her articles have featured in numerous publications such as Craft Australia online monthly newsletter, Textileforum in Hannover Germany and (TAFTA) Textile Fibre Forum and Australian Lace: The Journal of the Australian Lace Guild. The most recent example includes Croatian National Dress: Traditions, Customs, Beliefs published in the Encyclopedia of National Dress: Traditional Clothing around the World, released for sale April 2013. Her article Kimono was accepted for the Encyclopedia of Ethnic Clothing in the United States, scheduled for publication in 2014.

Her research interests include oral history, the convergence of art and fashion, aesthetic dress, the tea gown, social history of textiles and Wearable Art and fashion curation and sartorial display. Current research includes Body Adorned and the Art of Dress: The History and the Phenomenon of Wearable Art. She has a studio based design practice and specializes in Art Knits and Wearable Art.

Inspiration/Method

The collection was inspired by ethnic embroidery and folk dress and body adornment,exploring the concept of identity,comfort,beauty,and aesthetics.It sets out clear goals towards the cutting edge of greater human accountability, and illustrates how clothing and accessories can be created to adorn the body while caring about the environment and economic and social concerns.

The collection breaks conventional barriers and fashion standard vocabulary.Its radical,experimental and conceptual throwing existing ideas into question,challenging assumptions of established norms, breaks the mold and introduces subservient element into my art/craft/design practice.

The collection celebrates the body and the handmade,and showcases techniques and personal histories,that exemplify contemporary practice, whilst at the same time paying homage to tradition and its humble past.

Materials and Technique:
8 ply recycled Australian Merino wool felted Aran jumpers
8 ply recycled Cleckheaton & Patons Totem 100% pure wool yarn
Felting
Hand Embroidery
Bullion Stitch
Applique
Crochet
Blanket Stitch

Design Challenge

The design challenge was to create a collection of aesthetically appealing quality hand crafted wearable art objects using minimal wastage of recycled materials to adorn the body while caring about the environment and economic and social concerns.I wanted to create a collection by cutting, folding, draping, wrapping and cocooning the body without sewing,buttons or zips.

I am fascinated by the art of knitting, crochet,felting, embroidery and lace making.I recycle,and repair, source Op Shops and rummage through community market stalls and church bazaars. During my travels I pick up discarded knits and household linen and lace and transform them into aesthetically appealing contemporary wearable art objects that are designed to last and be treasured.

In recent years I have extended my design practice to include recycling, mending and repairing discarded no longer in use fashion objects where ideas appear in most unexpected ways; where an accidental tear, stain or an error becomes a feature of the design;surprise is always and important element of my work.The collection occupies a space between art,craft, fashion, design and technology and falls into the realm of the fine arts.