Not Too Cool for School (Uniforms)

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Eight months, one dress and many accessories later, a New York-based design professional has managed to make the uniform cool again. Last year, Sheena Matheiken began a year-long “wearathon”, donning the same dress everyday with different layers and accessories. Titled the Uniform Project, this initiative, she hoped, would raise awareness for sustainable fashion as well as money to fund uniforms and other educational equipment for Akanksha’s School Project.

Design Chameleon

Ever since, Matheiken’s innovative reinvention of a simple LBD – worn with tights and T-shirts, churidars and hats - has attracted the attention of fashionistas and philanthropists from all over the globe (to make a donation, visit www.theuniformproject.com). She recently helped kick-off a recycle fashion initiative at Mumbai’s Bungalow 8, which we scoped out for your reading and (wearing) pleasure.

A Different Drape

Scattered through the cavernous rooms of this home and fashion store, slung over the back of a wicker rocking chair or hooked onto an antique mirror, we found bomber and boucle jackets crafted from brightly hued saris. Made by Goa-based designer Miriam Strehlau, these were unusual and super pretty – we particularly loved a jersey-trimmed fuchsia version, embroidered with antique sequins. Also available was a fun bib necklace by Little Shilpa, with a tangle of sari scraps, and mojaris by Sanchita, built from patches of Indian fabric.

Getting there: 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors, 17 Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba, call 22819880, jackets start at Rs 3,000.

Recycle Thieves

If you don’t feel like dropping a cool Rs 5,000 on a (really awesome) summer jacket, head to Taxxi and Vitamin K’s Recycling Workshop next week. Bring along old textiles and clothes, and NID-trained designers Nitya Amarnath and Juhi Pandey will breathe new life into them. Swatch out!

Getting there: 3 and 4 Kusum Kunj, next to Mango, Linking Road, Khar (W).Workshop from January 24 to 29, by appointment only, call 65259382.