Conscious Fashion: Local Wisdom

I’m convinced that, if my house was on fire, there is only one thing I would grab before dashing out of the crumbling building: my brown Steve Madden riding boots. These boots were a second-hand find and purchased for a mere 40 dollars, such a steal! Through thick and thin, summer and winter, these boots have served me well. They perfectly play down a dress and easily spice up a pair of jeans. They even pair well with cut off shorts or leggings. I admit it, I’m addicted to these boots. These boots are full or personality and serve as a great statement piece for any outfit. When I learned about the Local Wisdom Project, I knew that if I ever attended a shoot, I would bring these boots.

The Local Wisdom Project, founded by sustainable fashion expert Dr. Kate Fletcher, strives to celebrate the ‘Craft of Use.’ This is tied to how we as consumers use and transform everyday fashion pieces. The project affirms that the way we wear, care for and treat our garments is an expression of fashion at the micro level. Consumers don’t have to cat walk under bright lights or grace the pages of a magazine to participate in fashion trends; we live and breathe them every day. According to the Local Wisdom Project, “These acts are the essential companion to fashion design and production. . . and give us small, specific working prototypes of grassroots change.”

The project uses images and words to document the stories of how and why we use clothing the way we do. The Local Wisdom Project looks for people who have a connection to their garments and whose favorite wardrobe piece falls under one of these categories:

• Is enjoying a third, fourth or fifth life
• Surprises you each time you wear it
• Shows or tells the story of how it has been used
• Is worn in ways that defy the producer’s values
• Is made up of interchangeable pieces that can be worn in different ways
• Is worn in response to changing economic and environmental concerns

I think my riding boots fall under any of the top three categories. Enjoying a second/third life- Check. Surprises me every time I wear them- Check. Shows a story of how they have been used- (The soles and heels are definitely showing signs of wear and tear… I mean signs of love)- Check.

To learn more about user’s craft and wisdom, check out the stories posted on Local Wisdom’s web page. These stories have been collected from various events around the country and offer a glimpse into the heart of today’s fashion.