Bringing heritage into the future of fashion
My project focuses on heritage, more specifically my heritage. My family moved from Austria to the east end in London in the 1940’s, with no secure jobs in a new country where they did not speak the native language. However this did not stop them from using their transferable skills, which was tailoring and dressmaking, like many others in the East end. I focused my research on my great aunt Fay, She was an advocate for women owned businesses, being her own boss, and hiring other talented seamstresses to work alongside her. Fay created bespoke haute couture evening gowns dazzled with embellishments, for the high society women in London. I managed to get one of her archival pieces where I could really examine the embellished needle point details . The origin of embellishment can be dated back to 30,000 BC, from the 1200's through 1300's beads were sewn onto clothing. And since then traditional techniques have been passed from generation to generation. However with embellishments beads and sequins taking over 100 years to decompose in landfills, I believe it is our duty to find new ways to upcycle them into our garments today, to protect our environment for tomorrow. By deconstructing and reusing beads, sequins, and other embellishments from existing garments, we can breathe new life into materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste.As I reflect on my family's journey and the legacy of my great aunt Fay, I'm reminded of the rich tradition of craftsmanship and creativity in the fashion industry. Yet, as we embrace the beauty of embellishments, it's crucial to acknowledge their environmental impact. Inspired by Fay's entrepreneurial spirit, I envision a future where we not only preserve traditional techniques but also innovate towards a circular economy in fashion. By upcycling and repurposing embellishments, we can honor the past while building a more sustainable future. My family's journey from Austria to London in the 1940s was marked by uncertainty, navigating a new country and language without secure employment. Yet, with their tailoring and dressmaking skills, they found their footing in the East End, joining many others in the garment trade. My research delved into the life of my great aunt Fay, a trailblazer in her own right. She championed women-owned businesses, led by example as her own boss, and nurtured a team of talented seamstresses. Fay's specialty was crafting bespoke haute couture gowns adorned with intricate embellishments, captivating London's high society. As I uncovered one of her archival pieces, I examined at the detailed needlepoint work and could see traditional techniques that have been passed from generation to generation. However, my admiration was dampened by the stark reality of their environmental impact. Beads and sequins, taking over a century to decompose in landfills, compelled me to think about our responsibility to future generations. Reflecting on my family's journey and Fay's legacy, I'm captivated by the rich tradition of craftsmanship. Yet, as we acknowledge the beauty of embellishments, we must confront their ecological footprint. Inspired by Fay's entrepreneurial spirit, I envision a future where we not only preserve traditional techniques but also innovate towards a circular economy in fashion. By deconstructing and reusing beads and sequins, from existing garments, we can breathe new life into materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. honouring the past while forging a more sustainable path forward. Here are some snapshots from the short video, to watch please go to my instagram @taliafayslater <3