Veteran British designer Dame Vivienne Westwood launched her Gold label Spring/Summer 2009 collection with a DIY theme. Her clothes offer inspiration to those who wish to make fashion statements on limited budgets. She said, "Make necklaces out of safety pins, shawls from blankets, tablecloths, curtains, or towels!"
The models displayed clothes that were made up of oddments of fabrics barely held together by safety pins. Sometimes strips of fabric were simply draped or tied around the body. A scrap of leopard print was draped over a shoulder. Another model sported a cape made up of what looked like food sacks!
Westwood also said, "There is status in wearing your favorites over and over again until they grow old or fall apart." Indeed, some of her other designs do really look like they are falling apart, like the black trench coat.
Perhaps Dame Westwood could also have suggested sewing lessons to mend and make one's own clothes!
DIY Credit Crunch Fashion
Dame Vivienne Westwood S/S 2009
Trend Themes
1. DIY Fashion - Embracing the DIY trend in fashion, where individuals can create unique and personalized outfits using unconventional materials and techniques.
2. Limited Budget Fashion - The rise of limited budget fashion, where individuals can make fashion statements without breaking the bank by repurposing and reusing existing materials.
3. Sustainable Fashion - The push towards sustainable fashion, where clothing is made to last and can be repaired and upcycled, reducing environmental impact.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - The fashion and apparel industry can capitalize on the DIY fashion trend by offering resources and materials for individuals to create their own unique outfits.
2. Craft and Hobby - The craft and hobby industry can seize the opportunity to provide tools, materials, and tutorials for those interested in DIY fashion and limited budget fashion.
3. Sewing and Textile - The sewing and textile industry can benefit from the increasing demand for sewing lessons and resources for mending and making clothes, as individuals embrace the DIY and sustainable fashion movements.