'Fair' Well...
After two and a half months of congregating five days a week in a humble little workshop on Taft Ave to thaw out the logistics of 6o’s polyester fabrics and the mastery of the fan ‘flick’, we bid farewell to DAWN and in particular Rose, Rosalie and Juanita. On our departure we ponder the term ‘fair’ and question what is ‘fair’ about these alternate trade partnerships that we have worked so hard to foster and advocate.
With these women we have brought a colourful concept to the table and worked together to conjure the synergy to create a product that echoes their stories, our plight and an alternative to trade partnerships. We have deconstructed our once prized dresses down to their raw materials and combined them with eighty-year-old recycled woods from local buildings, to create a series of hand held ladies fans. Each frame is hand carved by an artisan woodsman from Bulacan, who has also worked with us to create a variety of designs based on our concept of cultivating existing materials. Traditionally the fan has told a story, in this case every element of it does. From the history of the vintage fabrics used, to the grains of the aged wood and the individuals from varying backgrounds. Collectively these merge into the colourful tale of Swimgreen that aims to advocate through example.
Throughout this process and all the garish colour of the retro prints we have soon become acutely aware of the many shades of grey that exist, from the stubbornness of 60’s polyester to the struggle for sustainability. We have spent the last three months funding and fuelling steps towards finding the perfect balance between all these raw materials and creating a harmonious workshop for all to interact and create. The relationships built with the women highlight the need but further prove the benefit of social enterprises, such as Fair trade. Sustainability is key and can ultimately create security and economic empowerment for these individuals. Responsibility lies on everyone, from producer to consumer. Ours personally has been to prove that other models can exist by investing in social development and personal convictions, however grand or humble the act may be.
At core this has been a pilot project with the end goal of exhibiting the pieces, though at the end of a very rigorous process with many peeks and lulls, all are still left with many questions. Especially, where to next?
