An international fashion research project exploring the 'craft of use'

Patina of Use

With our garments, as with our bodies, the passing of time leaves its mark. Our relationship with these imprints is complex in both domains. With clothes, we sometimes discard pieces because they are ageing, dated, jaded or worn; at other times we buy vintage or pre-distressed pieces, coveting that which looks old. Yet these both overlook the power and pleasure of marking the passing of time as it is recorded in our clothes; the forging of memories, building of knowledge, evolution of appearance.

Denim moustache

"These jeans I have in my wardrobe since, 1983 for more than 25 years. Levis… with a red label, that everybody, the connoisseur knows was made in the USA before the production was cut. So 501. It’s a blue jean that as it has worn has signs [of wear around the crotch] on it, what in French we call a jean ‘moustache’… Today you can buy your jeans stonewashed, you can buy them already with ‘a moustache’. Mine were perfectly blue at the beginning..."

London - January 2010
Photograph by Sean Michael