VONNE,
MY DEADSTOCK SUSTAINABLE FASHION LINE FROM 2008
Turns out that right now in February 2020 -brands are churning out clothing “by using leftover “deadstock” fabric and offcuts that would otherwise be destined for landfill.” (Refinery29)
High fashion brands like Missoni to indie brands including: House of Holland, The New Craft House, Isabelle Fox, Tala, Bug Clothing, etc.
You can read the article on the my short-lived career in fashion (lol) in the link below.
The journalist who covered the show lauded my line and called it “The Surprise” – I didn’t pay for the piece. In fact, I barely knew the journalist at the time. Unfortunately, my low self-esteem at the time didn’t allow me to see what he saw. I saw this activity more as a past-time, a creative outlet, and hopefully a way to make a quick buck.
You can see the article from September 27, 2008 here: Link
Leer esta nota: https://www.laprensa.hn/vivir/560178-97/derroche-glamour-y-arte-en-el-fashion-week
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Creativity from Scarcity
Yes, we have all heard this story before.
Back in 2008, I had just graduated from Parsons and moved back to Honduras. I began working at my grandmother’s textile shop where she was selling leftover fabrics from our family business – woven fabric mill (Textiles Rio Lindo) that had closed 2-3 years before, but had been operating for 65+ yrs and at one point was the biggest mill in Central America with big clients including Target.
Bored of ringing up customers and selling on the floor, I began designing a fashion line from the scraps in downtimes. I used the scraps that were sold by the pound at the store.
The fabrics were sometimes stained, with holes, it was hard to find large pieces, etc. but I made it work. In fact, those parts I had to get rid of were the ones that really designed the pieces because that is were we had to cut the fabric.
The use of these “unsophisticated” utilitarian deadstock fabrics popped out to the renowned NY-based Honduran fashion designer Carlos Campos who was at the fashion show. When he congratulated me and mentioned his fascination with the fabrics, I turned down what could’ve been an interesting conversation. You see, I didn’t believe his appraisal because was embarrassed I didn’t have glam/high-end fabrics and looked down on what is now a 2020 fashion trend.
What if I hadn’t been embarrassed of my “deadstock” fashion line? That would’ve been a hell of a conversation. I always enjoy a good brainstorming with other divergent thinkers.
Looking back, I don’t regret not pursuing this idea – but what I do regret was not accepting genuine compliments because I didn’t value my creativity, vision, and intuition.
Photo Credits: VONNE – Diario La Prensa, Honduras (Sabino Gamez)
