Which Animal is Present in Your Garment? is a 3-hour workshop in which we explore human - nonhuman animal relations in fashion. Daily we ‘encounter’ a broad range of nonhuman animals through the materiality of our clothes (leather, wool, fur, silk, feathers) and through representations in fashion media. While the fashion industry harbours extensive human – nonhuman animal relations, the actual lives or animals are hidden. Absent in the fashion discourse, this workshop aims to invite a more critical and considerate attitude towards our relations with animals. We will discuss the presence of nonhuman animals in fashion, analyse our own garments and work on alternative clothing labels that spotlight nonhuman animals behind our garments.
This workshop offers space for 10 participants (18 years and older). Participation is free. There is no selection procedure. The spots are given to those who respond first.
Femke de Vries
The workshop is guided by Femke de Vries. Femke works as a researcher, writer, artist and teacher. Her work is centered around the cultural, social and political role of dress and fashion. She’s interested in the power structures of the commercial fashion industry and the exploration of alternatives. Her most recent works revolve around the relation between human and nonhuman animals in fashion; the existing relations that are present but overlooked, and the proposition of new ones.