Has Worn Stories changed the consumer that you are?
way that I do, but that also probably comes from who I am. It allowed me to approach things in an interdisciplinary way. My work has always been taking bits and pieces from here or there and pulling them together. I mean, semiotics is sort of the science and symbols behind something. When you wear clothing you’re conveying a message open to interpretation.
themto start talking about that. If you’re not asked, you don’t think about it. In posing the question, it prompts people to start thinking about their belongings, why they hold onto things, why they buy things. Tying this all back to your own personal Worn Story , what are your oldest items in your closet? What value do these garments have to you? I have stuff that is old in my closet that I’ve had since I was a kid. I’ve been wearing this sweatshirt that has my name hand painted across it, which a family friend painted. I’ve probably had that for 20 plus years. And I’ve recently begun wearing it again and that’s been really fun. So it’s fun to rediscover those things and to appreciate them in adifferent way. I live in Brooklyn, so
I’m beginning to invest in well-made pieces that are comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. For me, fast fashion is not as interesting or fulfilling as it once was. I’m not necessarily saying that everything should have a story. Everything should be precious. Everything should have some meaning. I know that there are black pants that I wear just because I like how they look and because they serve a function. You studied Art Semiotics at Brown University — is your degree in semiotics what made you want to connect fashion to storytelling in the way that you have?
How did you get people to open up about their Worn Stories ?
I asked them, “Do you have a garment that has a story connected to it or something memorable that happened while you were wearing it?” They pause and then talk about something that has been hanging in their closet or in a drawer for a while. They usually don’t wear it but also never really thought about why they can’t get rid of it. I ask
I think that it just gave me the foundation to look at the world the
52 FM/AM FASHION MAGAZINE AT MARIST
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