Remember that post I did about creativity and the guy who made these amazing stands and holders with spoons and forks? Well, it’s time to do another such post, because I just read about another person whose creativity is just awe-inspiring! Fashion philanthropist and the woman behind the remarkable Uniform Project, Sheena Matheiken sure knows how to make a difference, the different way!
I’m generally the last to know things, so if you’ve heard about her, I apologize, but it was just too good to not share with those who haven’t! So, about a year ago (May 2009), Sheena decided to wear the same dress, every day, for a whole year! What’s the point, you ask? It was an exercise in sustainable fashion; she wanted to show the world that you don’t need to buy new things all the time to be fashionable. To prove this, Sheena wore the same dress in 365 different ways, over the span of one year. She layered, she accessorized (some donated and others from vintage stores and flea markets!) as well as wore the dress both ways, front and back, and as an open tunic. Oh and she didn’t wear the “same” dress for 365 days; that would just be gross! She had 7 identical dresses to get her through the week:D Take a look at some of my favorite looks!
She’s so spunky, I totally need to hang out with her!:P I especially love this project because I feel that in a world where we are constantly being photographed, thanks to Facebook, blogging etc, we always feel pressurized to wear new things because “Oh, we’ve already been photographed in that before!” If you’re in denial go take another look at yours and your friends’ Facebook albums. There are hardly any instances of women repeating clothes. And I’m going to digress from the subject here a little bit, but there are hardly any instances of natural photos, either. Most are photoshopped! Have we all become pseudo-celebrities, what with our one-time outfits and unnatural pictures? Something to think about!
Anyway, coming back to Sheena, through her innovative and quirky sense of style, she also raised funds for The Akanksha Foundation. By the end of the year she had raised around $95,000 and helped cover the educational expense of around 264 kids living in Indian slums. We love her, don’t we?
The Uniform Project Trailer from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.
And for those of you who are wondering about the fate of the dress — it was given a completely new avatar using recycled materials after the year came to an end.
Tell me what you think!
Kisses,
SK
This is super awesome and did u notice she looks so young !! And she passed out of parsons in 2001 !! gosh…that aside, its a great initiative and is a food for thought for the fashion obsessed people for whom shopping and wasting moolah on new clothes each day is a disease when the money for one dress if they could donate would make the world a better place.
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@ Swats: What?!? How do you know she graduated from parsons in 2001? Yeah she does look really young..
like early 20s or something..maybe it’s her hair! Lol@ disease:P You’re right though..which is why i love people mixing expensive pieces with flea market kind of stuff. You don’t need to be dressed up in designer wear from head to toe. You can be as fashionable without. And use the rest of
the money for causes and people who need it! Give back people!
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You know this is perfec source of inspiration for someone like me..i shop so much..such a waste of money and resources…great way to style up one dress in different ways..i have started mixing and matching a little bit these days and this is perfect to keep me on track..And, thanks for your lovely lovely comment on my outfit post
)
http://weddingonthecards.blogspot.com/
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Boss.. That is so Meticulous.!! “pseudo-celebrities” LOL..what an apt use of the word.!! I didnt know about your last related post, so it was fun reading this. Also I just read UP web page. I am too impressed with her definition for ” what is GOOD design?”
And look at Sheena, she is so bright and has a very thoughtful glow on her face. She has teared out all our notions regarding fashion. Too gooD..!!
And did u read her thought on recycling, grey water and all.? Brilliant. Kya ladki hai yeh.!!
Looking forward for UB year 2. Thank you so much Splurgerina for sharing.
Must say you are back with the Bang.!! 2 days left hmm..!!
Goodluck.
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The Splurgerina Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 02:14
@Shantanu: After you mentioned it I went back to read that grey water stuff and I just loved the toilet sink combo! It’s an awesome idea! and the design looks good too..i like!:P
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That is so true.!!
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@ Sovina: Yay to mixing and matching..and now that you’ve started posting pics up you get to show it off too!!:D
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Interesting, from where you get these news?? Wearing same stuff every day!!
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@Pesto Sauce: Read about it on the CNN site..a little later in the day actually..the project is in its 2nd year!
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