State of Fashion was the first large-scale international public event that is entirely devoted to sustainable and honest fashion. The first edition took place from 1 June until 22 July 2018 in the Melkfabriek in Arnhem. Large-scale fashion houses and designers such as G-Star RAW, H&M and Zegna presented their vision on a sustainable future alongside innovative start-ups and designers such as Bruno Pieters, Osklen and Iris van Herpen.
Everybody knows the fashion industry has to change. But how?
In the theme searching for the new luxury curator José Teunissen, alongside designers and pioneers, explores how we can apply fashion’s imaginative, seductive and innovative power to create a more futureproof fashion cycle. In the exhibition, designed by ontwerpbureau Space & Matter, State of Fashion shows around fifty projects that explore new definitions of luxury that fit our zeitgeist.
One of the distinctive forces of fashion is that it can create new worlds and tempt us to immerse ourselves within them. A new generation of designers and labels is increasingly using this force to bring about change. Designers do this by combining fashion with technology as well as combining nature with research. They show a radical new conception and ground breaking new imagination of fashion, breaking away with tradition.
With a.o. Iris van Herpen, Ying Gao and Rafael Kouto.
The Internet has made it possible to make all the layers within the production chain visible. This allows consumers to consume more consciously and sustainable, and can create horizontal relationships between consumers and producers, bringing professionals and craftsmanship into focus. In addition, they gain not only more recognition, but also a much better reward, because intermediaries like shops, producers and marketers disappear. This approach reveals a shift from the 'star designer' to the value of the garment itself, or the professionals behind it.
With a.o. Osklen, Bruno Pieters and Viktor & Rolf for Zalando RE:CYCLE.
Half-yearly collections, big investments and a compulsory catwalk show are no longer conditions for a successful fashion business. Digital platforms enable small-scale designers and local producers to make a living, monitor what their consumers want and enable consumers to co-create the product. Also they facilitate initiatives that allow fashion brands to tailor to the wishes and demands of its consumers to prevent so-called 'dead stock’. In addition, the growing interest in sustainability and circular thinking leads to completely new business models, such as lease concepts upcycling and a circular approach.
With Matti Liimatainen (Self-Assembly), MUD Jeans, 11.11 eleven eleven and Maven Woman.
The fashion industry represents imagination, but also power. The industry operates worldwide, reaching an enormous number of consumers every day. Its scope and reach offer the industry the opportunity to take responsibility and make a difference. The contributing designers show how fashion can contribute to a better world, not only by producing in a socially responsible manner, but also by applying its influence to create better living environments and societies.
With a.o. Vivienne Westwood, Helen Storey and Fashion Revolution.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration and research, bringing together the world of technical science and fashion, are a prerequisite for creating a more sustainable future. The exhibition shows how this can lead to new opportunities through material experiments. The visitor gets insight into new materials, made from algae, fruit residue, and other celluloses, but it also illustrates how new scientific technologies are leading to new design applications.
State of Fashion 2018 took place from 1 June until 22 July 2018 in Arnhem.