Fashion show sparks green revolution

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/revwear.jpg” caption=”The Revolution Wear Fashion Show on Thursday, Feb. 7 will feature clothing made of recycled and reused materials. Photo courtesy of revwear.org.”]A fashion revolution is once again taking McMaster by storm as students prepare for the Revolution Wear Fashion Show. Now in its fifth year, Rev-Wear will showcase dynamic pieces of wearable art in the McMaster University Student Centre atrium on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m.

Revolution Wear is fashion with a twist. Using entirely recycled materials, many of which come from Mac Green's donation bin, designers have fashioned pieces that are not only environmentally-friendly, but socially conscious as well.

Revolution Wear was started in 2004 by Sapphire Singh, who began making clothing with a friend when she was studying art history at McMaster. During her time at McMaster, Singh was also the head of Mac Green, a campus environmental club.

Since then, Singh has turned the Revolution Wear name into a small business, selling her original designs at local art fairs, craft shows and vintage stores.

As a self-taught fashion designer, Singh reuses, reinvents and recreates second-hand clothing and salvaged objects into functional, wearable art. Her original goal for Revolution Wear was to inspire action through creativity, critique consumer culture, encourage activism and participate in the Hamilton arts scene.

Fourth-year peace studies student Marya Folinsbee is one of the administrators for Rev-Wear. She originally got involved because she liked the group's ideas.

“Rev-Wear promotes creativity, imagination and treading lightly on the Earth,” she says, adding that there is more to design than creating a beautiful outfit. “The clothes have a political and social message as well. They are used to get ideas across in a non-traditional way.”

Folinsbee was an activist before she entered university and her peace studies program has enabled her to broaden her views on the world.

“Rev-Wear also expands and reflects my beliefs and is a great way to make issues public,” she says. This year, Folinsbee has contributed designs to the fashion show and will also model in it.

The fashion show, usually structured around a main theme, will bring together ideas of diversity, spirituality, power, nature and sexuality in this year's exhibition.

With runway fashions created from materials such as magazines, newspapers, cigarette butts, McDonald's packaging as well as pre-loved clothing and fabric, you wouldn't see these creations in Paris or Milan.

In fact, says Folinsbee, Rev-Wear is a lot more than a fashion show. It is a charity event that unites passionate artists, set and clothing designers, directors, choreographers, poets and activists around fashion.

“We are trying to make it more interactive by incorporating local talent and performance on stage,” she explains.

In the past, Rev-Wear shows have generally focused on women's wear, but this year, the designers are trying to connect with a wider male audience. There will be 20 designers showcased at this year's event, making it the largest show to date.

“Every year it gets a little bit bigger,” says Folinsbee.

Many of the designs being showcased are wearable and available for purchase, while others are specifically designed as art pieces.

The Feb. 7 show is free to the public. Another show will be held in the evening of Feb. 9 at The Pearl Company. Organizers are asking for a donation of $10 for the evening show, which will go towards a local community action group.