The Fabrics and Their Stories | Curator: Ika Vantiani
Fashion turns fabrics and textiles into something wearable, though not necessarily affordable. Fast Fashion then turns them into something not only wearable but also affordable and seasonal. In the end, both treatments, whether consciously or unconsciously, result in the fact that fabrics or textiles are mostly being seen for their material and tangible value, either for price, style or brand. Fortunately, that’s only half the truth about how fashion defines our perspective on the usage of fabrics and textiles from decades ago.
The other half is actually another fashion action that we carry out, one where we keep a piece of fabric or textile as a medium to help us preserve the moments from the past. Something that we kept secretly (or publicly) or even bring everywhere we go because it is the only thing that makes us feels calm, comfortable and safe to get through the day. We no longer care about how it used to look or feel, let alone the price when we first bought them. Its value has now become priceless because of the personal mementos and reminder to live our lives today without forgetting yesterday.
This behaviour is what inspired us to create the “For Keepsake, Keep Me!” exhibition. We invited people from across Jakarta to share their fabric stories with us, and encourage the public to listen to each story and experience the feelings those pieces of fabric and textiles will carry to the exhibition. From sad to happy, disappointed to hopeful, they are all wonderfully intertwined with each other and become the first Fast Fashion Fringe Event of IKAT/eCUT.
Back
