Sustainability, Symbolism, and Style: Michaela’s Transformative Residency

Exploration of Milan’s Fashion Identity

A fan of sustainable fashion, another participant of last year’s Fashion Residency – Michaela from Slovakia – told us what her project in Milan was all about.

 

*You planned to conduct research through experimentation with fabrics, silhouettes and symbolic motifs to capture an emotional journey of transformation. What was your project ultimately about during your residency in Milan?

In the end, my project was research related to Milan as one of the fashion capitals, its history and uniqueness. I focused on the concept of Ugly chic and how Miuccia Prada’s work represents the city she grew up in, how the political situation in the country influences fashion and how fashion can reflect it, sometimes educating people, other times pointing out the absurdities of contemporary society. I have searched thoroughly in the libraries of Milan and Rome. I drew inspiration from the “academic” closet and tried to make my small collection a little absurd for this environment (TheAbsurdChic).

*You have explored new techniques, innovative processes and materials. What do you appreciate most about the residency you did?

I learned about the rich history of Italian fabric and yarn production, so all the materials I purchased were Italian. Many of the lectures and visits we attended were on sustainability and fabric production processes. Now I have a much deeper knowledge of the subject. I value the contacts I have made, the lectures I have attended and the visit to Rome. The community at the Accademia Costume & Moda was very welcoming. We saw many places that I would not have discovered without their guidance. They also provided us with a studio to create freely, which made the whole experience very inspiring. We were able to directly apply what we learned to our work.

 

*What was your most powerful experience during your stay?

I would say visiting the Modateca Deanna fashion archive. I spent a week there and I still didn’t manage to see everything. There were great books and magazines, and we were able to see and touch very famous archive pieces from some of my favorite designers.