We here at TLB would like to call ourselves fashion connoisseurs; always on the lookout for something new and innovative, not only for us but also for you, dear reader. Fashion is artwork that is able to bend our reality and imagination and produce art that makes us reflect, think, and say, “Ooooh I’d love to wear that!” To capture this sense of awe, we’d turn to the runways, red carpets, and the more recent Instagram posts to get inspiration or be inspired. But recently, we were lucky to have caught an exhibition that was as breathtaking as it was inspiring!
In a collaboration between Fashion Trust Arabia and M7, and curated by Omoyemi Akerele, the founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week and featuring more than 80 designers, winners and finalists of the FTA prize, FTA: Threads of Impact is a look into the Middle Eastern identity, cultures, cultural experiences, and stories; stitched into innovative and unique works. Organised into 7 sections or ‘Threads’, the exhibition explores human stories and puts on display pieces that symbolise power, innovation, cultural heritage, sustainability and more.
As I meandered through the displays, it was quickly evident how each piece had a story to tell. Each drape spoke of hours of design and experimentation, every bead and stitch meticulous, every story properly thought out and displayed. I’d find myself admiring how one piece would complement another, created by a different designer. And as we passed through the different rooms, it was like entering a different chapter of a story.
In a section titled Conscious Constructs, I found myself spending the most time. The section explored how sustainability and innovation can co-exist, and highlighted the artistry that prioritizes sustainability. The reason I found myself there the most is because it did act as a testament to how sustainable practices can change the future of fashion, and how this form of art can bring about something environmentally conscious and beautiful.
There were times I’d find myself staring at a few pieces, admiring the silver armor in one room, and a seamless dress in another, and circling a beaded flower dress in the next. Though there was something nagging me. I realized it; I realized I didn’t have enough time to adequately spend with each creation. Then again, how long would it take to carefully ,look and analyze all the pieces on display? Not enough. Each piece tells a different story, through textiles and materials, patterns, weaving, draping that to stay and analyze each piece would need more than a single visit to M7, and if it was just to spend a day at FTA: Threads of Impact, it sure would be worth every minute.