Connections
The link between a person and a garment can never be planned for, but has lasting impact when a garment becomes a life-long companion. It reveals the potential for change in each individual and often marks that in the associations with a piece, for single, small actions can have big effects.
Kimono
"I designed a kimono when I was quite young and I always really wanted
to have one made up but could never really afford it... I just love
kimonos – I think they’re really beautiful and really flowing and just
lovely, lovely things to have. I had an opportunity to have one made up
when I was travelling in Vietnam, I was staying downstairs from a
tailors shop. Actually I had two made up, one for my best friend as well
so sometimes when she comes over we’ll just mess around and put them
on. Its kind of like a dressing gown but at the same time when I wear
it it makes me feel quite elegant. I’m always a bit frightened to
lounge around on the sofa when I’m wearing it but its not really
something I can wear out either so its more of a, I don’t know, I
couldn’t bear to throw it away, I think its something I’ll probably keep
my whole life because I designed it and chose the fabrics and I watched
it being made and also carried it on my back for about three months and
sort of looking after it carefully – made sure it didn’t get wet or
ruined."
Bollington, Cheshire - July 2009
Photograph by
Fiona Bailey
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