Timna Weber | UNFINISHED Series 002 at Saatchi Gallery, London

Alumni documentation 2019-01-21

In 2018 Timna Weber, alumni of finished Temporary Programme Fashion Matters (2015-2017), presented her collection UNFINISHED Series 002 during the LSE Fashion Show '199Z: Diversity Revisited' at Saatchi Gallery, London on October 23rd. In an effort to elevate the insufficiently-crossed bridge between the fashion industry and academic research, the LSESU Fashion Society organised the show to showcase the work of nine emerging designers.

This project began with two academic panel lectures open to the public at the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) in October. Panelists ranged from Sociologist of Fashion Dr. Joanne Entwistle and Political Anthropologist Dr. Mukulika Banerjee to Madeleine Ostlie of AAMO Casting.

At the heart of this project are visions of diversity, learned lessons and the personal experiences of the designers as reflected their collections. It also underscored the fact that diversity cannot be easily ‘achieved’ in one fell swoop; rather, it is a continuous processes that need to be questioned and directly engaged in. And above all (for us), it highlights the parallels with issues of sustainability, which was a theme that was also central in much of the exhibited work.

“Clothes these days are sold in such a finished state, they leave only little possibility for transformation, and additionally it’s hard to do that yourself. The user is alone, or with a seamstress, but there’s no guidance of a designer. So I started thinking about a system where garments are more starting points, where they remain open for design alterations and people can always come back to the designer when change is needed or wanted. That way, they can find a possible solution together and garments can remain relevant over time, instead of being replaced by new ones.

I want people to see garments as living, transformable things, that change with us as we make the journey through life. There was one couple who shared one of the jumpers I made. She lived in Brazil and he lived in Paris, a long-distance relationship during which they exchanged this jumper. They came back to ask for a little secret pocket in the hoodie, so they could give each other notes. Such a nice idea, and it shows how a garment can create a story and become part of you after a while.” - Timna Weber

More on Timna's work: http://timnaweber.com https://www.wow-amsterdam.nl/artists/timna-weber/

More information about 199z Diversity Revisited: https://eluxemagazine.com/fashion/diversity-in-fashion-gets-real-with-199z-diversity-revisited/