Could you wear the same dress every day for a year?
August 20th 2009 23:48
I know I couldn't, but I'm not Sheena Matheiken! The New York-based creative director has given herself the challenge of wearing the exact same dress for 365 days, using funky accessories to mix up her look on a daily basis. The unusual task has brought her worldwide media attention, which is precisely what she wants, as she's doing it to raise money for the Akanksha Foundation: a charity that helps educate poor children in India by paying for compulsory items such as school uniforms.
“I don't plan ahead what I will wear,” the Indian-born Matheiken told essentialStyle. “I wake up and throw things together and give myself about 30 minutes. Only on special occasions, such as a wedding I attended in May, do I have to really think about how to make it work.”
The dress is a simple, and extremely versatile, cotton shift that was designed by Matheiken's friend Eliza Starbuck. The accessories that Matheiken wears are all 'sustainable' - as in, they're mostly vintage or handmade. Matheiken posts a picture every day on her website of how she is wearing the dress, and has already raised nearly $10,000 for the charity.
“This is about making it fun and finding a way to blend style and sustainability,” she said. “These two things don't have to be mutually exclusive. It's all about getting creative."
As these pictures show, Matheiken has no problem with creativity! The dress (which is actually seven identical dresses - no need to get smelly here) provides the perfect backdrop for outside-the-square accessorising. Her commitment to promoting sustainable fashion, as well as bringing much-needed funds to those living in the poorest parts of India, is nothing short of inspiring, and prompts us all to think about our own levels of consumerism.
The Uniform Project has gained international media attention - The New York Times wrote this article, and The Sydney Morning Herald wrote about it here. But if you're as fascinated with Sheena Matheiken's sartorial challenge as I am, the best thing you can do is visit her website The Uniform Project. You can vote and comment on her daily outfits, as well as donating funds to the Akanksha Foundation.
Matheiken is currently 100 days into the project, and will continue to wear her 'uniform' with pride until May 1st next year - I'll let you know the results of her fundraising then.
The basic black dress... reworked.
“I don't plan ahead what I will wear,” the Indian-born Matheiken told essentialStyle. “I wake up and throw things together and give myself about 30 minutes. Only on special occasions, such as a wedding I attended in May, do I have to really think about how to make it work.”
The dress is a simple, and extremely versatile, cotton shift that was designed by Matheiken's friend Eliza Starbuck. The accessories that Matheiken wears are all 'sustainable' - as in, they're mostly vintage or handmade. Matheiken posts a picture every day on her website of how she is wearing the dress, and has already raised nearly $10,000 for the charity.
“This is about making it fun and finding a way to blend style and sustainability,” she said. “These two things don't have to be mutually exclusive. It's all about getting creative."
Fun and fabulous
As these pictures show, Matheiken has no problem with creativity! The dress (which is actually seven identical dresses - no need to get smelly here) provides the perfect backdrop for outside-the-square accessorising. Her commitment to promoting sustainable fashion, as well as bringing much-needed funds to those living in the poorest parts of India, is nothing short of inspiring, and prompts us all to think about our own levels of consumerism.
Creative dressing
The Uniform Project has gained international media attention - The New York Times wrote this article, and The Sydney Morning Herald wrote about it here. But if you're as fascinated with Sheena Matheiken's sartorial challenge as I am, the best thing you can do is visit her website The Uniform Project. You can vote and comment on her daily outfits, as well as donating funds to the Akanksha Foundation.
Matheiken is currently 100 days into the project, and will continue to wear her 'uniform' with pride until May 1st next year - I'll let you know the results of her fundraising then.
Sustainable, and so very inspirational.
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