Layers of impact: Wearable art with a powerful message about the true cost of fashion

31 Jul 2023

Designer Anna Potton-Grapes has recently unveiled her latest garment, Last Season's Colour, which she submitted to World of Wearable Arts (WOW). This striking piece is not only visually captivating but also carries a powerful message about sustainability and ethical fashion practices.

Anna's inspiration for her garment stems from a documentary she watched, The True Cost, which exposed the devastating impact of the fast fashion industry on both people and the environment. Motivated to create a response to this issue, Anna embarked on a mission to find a material that could metaphorically represent the plight of those affected.

The answer came unexpectedly during a home renovation project, where Anna's husband peeled off layers of paint from a roller tray. What he revealed fascinated Anna - the accumulated paint had formed a solid, yet flexible skin, resembling leather. Additionally, the imprints left by the roller tray pattern sparked her imagination. This revelation inspired her to experiment with paint layers within silicone moulds.

A close-up of Anna’s garment, using layers of paint from silicone moulds, painted in Resene Neva and Resene Black. Image by Hanna-Mari du Plessis.

To bring her vision to life, Anna collaborated with Resene as she recognised their commitment to sustainability and non-toxic products. Anna meticulously crafted more than 700 paint skins of over 30L of recycled and environmentally friendly paint using silicone moulds, including skull-shaped forms to symbolise the potential death and destruction faced by the 700 rivers in Bangladesh.

The significance of the paint skins goes beyond their representation of human and environmental vulnerability. Each paint skin required nine layers of paint, resulting in a staggering total of over 6,300 layers. This intricate process showcases the complexity and depth of the issues surrounding fast fashion and its impact on people's lives. 

This striking garment embodies Anna's dedication to promoting awareness of sustainable and ethical fashion. The garment itself is composed of 85 percent recycled materials, including donated fabrics, pool noodles and core flute panels. This emphasis on repurposing materials highlights the potential for positive change and the importance of considering the true cost of the clothing we purchase.

Anna’s garment showcases the layered paint moulds painted in Resene Neva and Resene Black. Modelled by Jo Burborough in front of Ravensdown factory. Image by Hanna-Mari du Plessis.

Anna's message is clear: as consumers, we possess the power to drive transformation within the fashion industry. By making conscious choices and supporting ethical and sustainable brands, we can create a positive ripple effect that transcends the entire clothing supply chain. This shift in consumer behaviour can lead to improved lives for people in countries like Bangladesh, where the price of fast fashion is paid through contaminated waterways and irreversible damage to the environment.

Anna's artistic journey has been shaped by her upbringing in Feilding, where an eccentric art teacher, Mr Dennis Pierce, nurtured her imagination and introduced her to the world of performance art competitions. Although Anna initially pursued a career in teaching English, her passion for creativity never waned. She eventually returned to study a Diploma of Visual Art and Design, followed by a Diploma of Fashion, which allowed her to merge her love for fashion with her unconventional artistic sensibilities.

Anna’s garment painted in Resene Neva and Resene Black. Modelled by Jo Burborough in front of Ravensdown factory. Image by Hanna-Mari du Plessis.

Today, Anna finds fulfilment in her role as a teacher at Sacred Heart College in Napier, where she guides and inspires the next generation of artists and designers. Through her work, she encourages students to think outside the box, embrace unconventional approaches and find innovative solutions to design challenges.

Anna’s design stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to using fashion as a medium for change. Through her remarkable creations and thought-provoking messages, Anna challenges us to reconsider the true cost of the clothing we buy and make more conscious choices that benefit both people and the environment.

Published: 31 Jul 2023