The upcoming Smithsonian Craft2Wear show and sale (Oct. 4 – 6, 2018) at the National Building Museum, Washington D.C. offers exciting stylish wearable art for the sustainability-conscious.
Many of the featured designers minimize adverse environmental impacts from their production processes by using natural renewable fibers, consciously sourcing dyes, repurposing fabrics, or curtailing water or energy consumption.
Evy Edelman
Vilma Mare
Veronika Braslavsky
Vilma Mare
Evy Edelman
Veronika Braslavsky
Clothing designer Veronika Braslavsky observes: “My home-located, no waste production process uses natural silk, new and used wool roving, cashmere, olive oil, a little amount of water and a lot of my energy.” She aims “to save our Mother Nature” and please her customers with each new garment.
Jewelry designer Evy Edelman employs design to increase environmental awareness: “In my jewelry, I create fantastical bugs to honor these beautiful creatures whose habitat is threatened by our changing climates. So many creatures face extinction because of habitat reduction and climatic variation. Future generations deserve to have these ‘bugs’ flying in their garden.” She also carefully chooses the materials she uses: “My gold and silver is from recycled sources and my stones are guaranteed conflict-free and fair traded.”
Pained “as an artist and mother” by human activity that pollutes and destroys nature, Vilma Mare searched for alternative ways to create clothing. She found inspiration in the “eco-harmony and eco-wisdom” of indigenous cultures which “live sustainably because of their inner beliefs protecting nature and keeping all its elements (fire, water, air and soil) clean.” Her unique production process “takes ancient indigenous symbols and slowly handworks them into a wearable, communicative art, adding a cultural and historical dimension. I layer and hand-stitch those layers in an ornate order, then open the top layers to show at the very bottom a readable sign of native consciousness, a message (as old as human history!) of respect for life, fertility, family and Earth. I invite women and men to carry on a conscious mind and lifestyle.”
To recognize these artistic innovators, Honoring the Future will offer a “Sustainability Award” of $150 to the artist whose work best “educates the public about climate change or inspires or models a sustainable response to climate change.” At Preview Night (October 4, 2018), Jane Milosch, Director of the Smithsonian Provenance Research Initiative, will review submissions and select the award recipient on behalf of Honoring the Future.
The Craft2Wear Show takes place at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. N.W. (Judiciary Square metro station). Proceeds from the show support education, research and conservation grants to Smithsonian programs and museums.
