How old is my wardrobe?

A question I have often asked myself is how old are the clothes I am wearing?  I am a chronic wearer-outer of things, to paraphrase one of my best friends, I wear things that other people would consider dusters!  I am not often phased by holes or patches, by the marks and stains that could condem my clothes as unwearable.  Then I saw this blog post where the clothes are classed as newer (0-1.5 years), medium (1.6-3.5years) and old (older than 3.6 years) and I started to think harder about it.

At this moment I am wearing clothes, all of which were bought new - this is unusual for me - a skirt which is about 3 years old, which has a removable dungaree style top to it.  A vet and teeshirt bought last summer and a pair leggings from about 2 years ago.  The cardigan I shall wear later was once a jumper belonging to my partner, I have had it about 2 years and he had it when I met him so it is at least 5 years old, full of holes and ladders but much loved.  The shoes I will wear are only from May this year, however I have worn the almost every day - does this make them a 'better' purchase than some of my other items?

I am going to go through my wardrobe and age it properly, and maybe summarise it by use as well - the age of our wardrobes is an interesting concept especially in the age of fast fashion and, conflictingly, the drive for emotionally durable design, slow fashion and zero waste systems. 
I love the skirt I am wearing for its style and versatility - it is made by Howies who are known for their well thought out designs - and feel this is part of the key to our (Slower) consumption in the future...

Institute of Making

 

This picture was taken form the original article on the Institute of Making's site here

An interesting post on wood from the Institute of Making, click here to read it

Idea Recipe

Inspired by the talks at the Slow Summit

Matthew Harris

Lantern Cloth No. I  Image taken from Matthew Harris's site

 Matthew Harris is a textile and paper artist and writer.  His work is inspirational, using dyed and hand stitch cloth for textile based mark making.  

See his site here for more information about him and his work.

Belleville Boutique

Belleville Boutique is a beautiful cafe, deli and homewares store with an attached gallery space based in Westbourne Grove.

I have made a series of trays, knives and spoons to accessorise duralex glasses for them, also cotton cuffs for the glasses, should you wish to drink coffee from them.  They are all carved from maple wood, hand shaped, dyed and polished.  The spoons follow the grain of the wood, hence their gently curved shapes.

The Power of Making

 This photo was taken from the article linked to below.  It is credited to Gareth Neal, who created the work pictured.  

His site is here.

A good article on Design Week website about the upcoming exhibition at the V&A, The Power of Making.

Ira Glass on Story Telling

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Slow summit thoughts, #1

Co-Design by Think Public

 

Brilliant video by Think Public

Studio Sale

STUDIO SALE : 178 Glyn road, E5

Jewellery, upholstery, clothes, cards, gifts.... come on down

Open: 

Tonight 7-930pm, 

Tomorrow 10am-2pm

Saturday 10am-4pm

Slow Summit

I lifted this post from the TED (Textile Environment Design) blog here.  

They are a textile research unit with whom I intern, based at Chelsea College of Art & Design.

The TFRC/Craftspace Slow Summit Open Lecture is this Friday and I am looking forward to seeing Alastair Fuad-Luke and Helen Carnac's presentations. 

The event is co-curated by Becky Earley and Helen Carnac, and examines the emergence of the Slow Movement, within a context of design, making and art practice. The two guest speakers will map out the ground that this new creative thinking occupies, both addressing the theory and the practice, as well as the local/global economics and politics that fuel the movement.

 

There are still places available for the lectures which are taking place at 272 High Holborn, Friday 8th July at 10:30am.  

Contact Clara on ted@chelsea.arts.ac.uk if you want to book.

This weekend

 

I will be at Designers Makers Market this Saturday, come say hi.

 

STUDIO SALE

Also we are having a studio sale at 178 Glyn Road, Homerton.  

We will be open Thursday evening, Friday from 10-2 and Saturday from 10-4. 

Corrie Williamson Jewellery

Lucy Madge and Sandra Calvo bespoke upholstery

Bridget Harvey Jewellery
Christa Davis Vintage

plus guests

Slow Fashioned and Tea for Two

Picture is from the Tea For Two blog

This week there is an interview with me on the wonderful Slow Fashioned site AND fashion blogger Kelly-Ann featured my work in her blog , Tea For Two. 

Of Cabbages and Kings

I will be at the Of Cabbages and Kings market in Stoke Newington this weekend, please pop down to say hi!