Explore the exchange story of designer KitX from Australia and artisan Pasifik Creations from Solomon Islands and find out how they created their look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, 2018.
"A really valuable outcome from this project would be to raise awareness about the people involved in weaving the textiles we wear, and the human element that goes into every single fashion garment."
Kit Willow
The Exchange: Australia x Solomon Islands
For The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018, designer KITX exchanged with artisans Pasifik Creations to create a look that highlights tradition and ancient crafts. The look was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on February 19, 2018, and later moved to the Australian High Commission, London, where it was open to the public in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, April 2018.
Austalia: Designer KITX
Kit Willow is showing the fashion world how ‘to do’ sustainability. Launching her brand KITX a few years back, Kit has stuck hard and fast to her responsible business practices, examining her supply-chain and consciously sourcing every material and component to minimise the impact on our planet’s natural precious resources.
Solomon Islands: Artisans Pasifik Creations
When Pacific islander Alfred Samosoni tried to buy arts and crafts from his homeland, he discovered it wasn’t easy. Knowing the quality and unique cultural crafts available from the islands, Samosoni set himself the task of connecting artisans with consumers, and built Pasifik Creations to showcase and promote the crafts.
The shells used to create necklacesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Shell Money
Through Pasifik Creations, the Commonwealth Exchange discovered a group of artisans to help on the project: Chriscentia, a weaver, and Anna, who leads a team of ladies talented at creating ‘shell money’ beading.
Close up of the beading and plaiting on KITX's look by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Once a form of currency, these strings of polished beads have been made by hand for centuries. In Malaita Island (part of the Solomon Islands) shell money remains a fundamental part of their culture, used ceremonially and for the exchange of goods between tribes.
Artisans from Pasifik Creations breaking up shells to make necklacesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Traditional Craftsmanship
The craft of making the beads is led by women and children, leaving the men to collect the shells and the polish the final beads. The colours are achieved through a drying process, the most difficult colours to achieve (and therefore the most valuable) being red and orange.
The story behind the look
The gown created by KITX has a bodice and skirt made from lightweight GOTS certified organic crepe wool. Trochus shell beads are an integral part of the design, drawing attention to the drape of the wool in the skirt.
KITX's sketch by Kit WillowCommonwealth Fashion Council
Illustration of the dress
The making of KITX's dress by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
The Skirt
The skirt was made from lightweight GOTS certified organic crepe wool sourced from a Woolmark approved mill.
Traditional straw skirt used for the bottom of KITX's dress by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Traditional Straw Skirt
The bottom of the dress featured a traditional straw skirt from the Solomon Islands.
KITX's look by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Designer Kit Willow placing her artisans beads on to her look by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Embellishments
The look was embellished with ‘shell money’ beads made by hand by a cooperative of women expert at this ancient craft.
Designer Kit Willow adding her artisans beads to her look by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Designer Kit Willow placing her artisans beads on her look by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Kitx look on display at Buckingham Palace by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at Buckingham Palace, 19 February 2018
Kitx's look at Australian High Commission, London by KITXCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at the Australian High Commission, London, 22 February 2018
Behind the Scenes of The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018Commonwealth Fashion Council
This content has been specifically curated for the Google Arts & Culture platform on behalf of the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange exhibition that launched on the 19th of February at Buckingham Palace in partnership with Swarovski, The Woolmark Company and MATCHESFASHION.COM.
The project, created and managed by Eco-Age, with the support of The Commonwealth Fashion Council and The British Fashion Council.
More information about the images is available by clicking on them.
Read more about the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at http://eco-age.com/commonwealth-fashion-exchange/
