Tatiana Watkins

Actaea Washed Away

Inspired by: John Willis, Recycled Realities 1 Evelyn Rydz, Gulf Pile

upcycled garments

2023

The “Actaea washed away dress”, is a dress crafted as though the sea shore nymph herself would wear it dwelling on many coasts during our current oceanic climate. The dress is created from locally upcycled materials highlighting the potential for beauty in repurposed waste and the importance of a circular economy. The metallic upcycled dress appears to be as though it were washed ashore. Altered yet distressed, the gown is covered in woven netting with the neckline embellished in hand sewn pearls; wrapped in a formerly flamingo pink crochet skirt that’s been hand dyed giving it a faded sunken-by-the-sea finish. The dress serves as a reminder of the negative impact human society has on our oceans and seashores, where plastic pollution and marine debris are prevalent issues.

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