Annika Thomas

BURSTING at the SEAMS : Human Growth and the Future of Clothes Annika Thomas

We live in a time of multiple crises where we are challenged to find new ways. Clothing is one area with serious issues since beauty ideals, consumption patterns along with clothing production have devastating effects on individual, cultural as well as environmental levels.

Bursting at the Seams invites you on a thought provoking journey to explore the larger perspective behind these challenges and how they are related. Through its different parts the core issues behind contemporary imbalances, and the probable origins of specific belief systems, are scrutinized. The intricate connection between human growth, cultural transformation and our relationship to clothes is also explored.

Apart from their aesthetic expression clothes are made to fill different needs. Some of these are basic and practical, while others relate to psychological needs, so closely tied to how we see ourselves. Along with adult growth new needs emerge. Unless our clothes are designed to also fill those needs, we will outgrow them. Their seams will begin to burst.

As all these loose ends are tied together a new, more conscious way to relate to the clothes we wear begins to take shape, along with interesting opportunities for development.