Hi everyone! My next blog post is about something a bit different and I am going to be discussing my recent visit to the V&M Museum where the ‘Fashioned from Nature’ exhibition was held. It was really interesting learning about new materials and visiting sustainable fashion throughout the eras. Not all the pieces from this exhibit were supporting sustainable materials, which I found interesting as I was able to explore how society has developed and how more people are supporting the use of sustainable materials. I am going to start by writing about certain pieces that intrigued me the most throughout the ages.
The first dress was made in the 1800’s but it has had later alterations. I found it interesting due to the fact it has been created with over 5000 beetle wings and parts of wings were used as décor and embellishment on the dress. Jewel beetles were used to embellish clothing in Asia and South America in the late 1820’s and it soon became a look of luxury. The beetle wings technique and décor was later used in stage costumes and became a popular look for Lady Macbeth, actress Ellen Terry wore this dress and it became legendary and years later a vast amount of money was invested into restoring the stage costume with all 1000 beetle wing units embroidered back onto it. It is estimated that 700 hours of work was put into trying to restore the legendary green beetle dress.
Following on from this, fast forwarding to 2016, designer Katie Jones created a vibrant trouser and jacket two piece that was hand crafted from leftover materials that otherwise would’ve been landfill and potentially damage the environment from not being biodegradable materials. This particular piece is created from leather off-cuts and recycled yarn, so although it is not 100% sustainable her pieces are helping the reduction of waste damaging the environment and reducing the damage to animal habitats and animal health and welfare. This creative piece was designed and created in her London Studio where she also creates more designs encouraging aspiring designers to use crochet within their pieces.
There were a few posters located in different sections around the museum, one that really got me thinking was the one that had a fierce and clear message. The poster read ‘It takes 40 dumb animals to make a fur coat. But only one to wear it.’ I thought the image was quite meaningful as although it would offend those who do wear real fur, it would play on their conscience and make them think about what they have done by harming an innocent animal. As well as this, the image was particularly striking as It showed a woman dragging her fur coat along the floor with blood trailing with it.
Thanks everyone!
All Things Faux.