creating in collaboration
(making in relation)
Nathalie and I have known one another since college. Through mutual friends, we entered each others orbit and shortly after we became friends she invited me to visit her in Macedonia. Home to her is a picturesque village on the banks of lake Ohrid, one of the deepest and oldest lakes in Europe. The lake is fed by a freshwater spring and sits between Albania, Greece and Macedonia, surrounded by mountains that look like sleeping dragons.
Aside from being a great friend, Nathalie is also an incredibly talented artist. During my last visit to Macedonia, she gave me a bag she made from her photographs printed onto canvas. This particular print was from my BFA thesis collection, which Nathalie shot in 2019. This - our first collaboration - was such a joy to bring to life and to share with the world, that we knew there needed to be more.
Fast forward to February, 2024. I was back in Brooklyn after five years of traveling and living abroad. Nathalie’s and my creative practices had both evolved, as we were moved by the experiences around us and experimented with new materials and methodologies. I had honed more into upcycling, integrating sculptural sillhouettes with more wearable fits. Nathalie had transitioned into fabric, assembling her photographs into beautiful quilted collages.
We came together and brainstormed directions this collaboration could take, thus finding the intersection of our ideas and following what we were pulled towards. Re-pairing, renewing, reframing. Taking apart and putting back together. Natural fibers/dyes. Wearable. Transformable. One-of-a kind.
We both work intuitively, with an idea of the final vision that allows room for reinterpretation. Creating in conversation; with one another and with the materials we spread out around us.
We theorized about the past of the oversized khakis we had gathered from local thrift shops while we opened the seams and released them from their previous existence. We tested the fit and sillhouette, brought in the waist and expanded the legs. Each of the eight pairs was different - some using similar imagery but each with a slightly altered construction. It was a lengthy journey and it was a labor of love. When they were finally ready, we hit up Jordan and Liana - our dear, beautiful and cool as hell friends - and they breathed further life into the pants. It was such a joy seeing them rock the pants and to feel the power of community coming together.
This was exhibited even more beautifully a few days later when we shared the collection at an evening pop-up at the vintage clothing/community event space, Byas & Leon in Bed Stuy. We were honored to share the work at such a locally respected, heart-of-Brooklyn spot and super grateful to Harvey, the owner, who graciously welcomed us and entrusted in the space.
Making with one another, for one another, it what it is all about. Gathering materials that would otherwise be passed by and making them worth a second look. Sewing each piece by hand and imbuing it with distinct individuality. Then releasing the pieces again and seeing them become a part of someones life (beginning, ending, continuing). Filled full of gratitude and eager for more.*
xx, Fiona
*And more there will be more! We are taking custom orders so send a message if you are interested in a pair of your own ༄