Condom Couture

Condom Couture

Globally, 33.4 million adults (aged 15 and older) and 2.1 million children (under 15) were living with HIV/AIDS, as at the end of 2008. About 2.7 million people were newly infected. 67% of people living with HIV worldwide reside in Sub- Saharan Africa. For every 2 people starting HIV treatment, 5 become infected with the virus. More than 2 million deaths in 2008 were due to AIDS
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Her magnificent dresses are made completely of expired or defective condoms, rejected by industry quality tests. Inspired by HIV positive children she met while volunteering at GAPA- an HIV prevention group, this ingenious Brazilian designer realized she could use fashion for AIDS awareness and has been doing just that for about 13 years. She is none other than Adriana Bertini. Adriana Bertini designs innovative creations of colorful, beautiful and vibrant outfits. They are not meant to be worn but rather to raise awareness and promote the use of condoms as an important means to prevent HIV transmission. Her designs have shown up all over the world on fashion shows, at international AIDS conferences and as museum exhibits. This designer is making a difference. Already she has been able use her artistic designs to encourage parents to talk about sexuality with their children. In addition, all proceeds from the sales of her dresses go directly to HIV prevention and awareness organizations.

Adriana Bertini

Image Credit: Adriana Bertini

Image Credit: nogoodforme

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Designing a wedding gown out of 2000 condom wrappers, Project Runway’s Jack Mackenroth is another person using condom- inspired couture to raise awareness about AIDS/HIV. As an HIV positive designer, he uses fashion as a medium to promote safe sex. His signature piece was featured at a fashion show organized by Project Inform- a nonprofit AIDS/HIV advocacy organization.Sketch of the wedding dress designed by Jack Mackenroth (Photo: Jack Mackenroth)

Image Credit: Condomunity

Jack Mackenroth

Jack Mackenroth Wedding Dress

Image Credit: Jack Mackenroth

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In July 2007, to get people to start talking about sex in China, a show was held at the Fourth China Reproductive Health New Technologies and Products Expo. Organized by China's largest condom manufacturer, Guilin Latex Factory, the show aimed to promote the use of condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The condom-inspired outfits were designed by students of Beijing Garment College in collaboration with Guilin Latex Condom Factory workers.

Beijing Fashion Show

Image Credit: BestPicStuff

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Ok, so I admit, these are probably a lil' bit much. But still, they get the message across and hold your attention- they are unforgettable. These are perfect examples of fashion being utilized as a tool for safe sex awareness. If the media, billboards, and pamphlets are being used to promote health awareness, well, why not fashion?

Source:
-UNAIDS 2009 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic
-UNAIDS- Brazilian Designer: condoms, basic as jeans, necessary as love

A Different Kind of Couture

A Different Kind of Couture

Just recently, I was browsing through 2009/10’s haute couture collections and was appalled by some of the outrageously bizarre couture pieces that consistently made it onto runways. One wonders who the designers muse was. It doesn't take much imagination to conjure up scenes from horror movies with some of the pieces- Seriously! Couture on fashion runways tend to be decidedly weird. Ever so often however, inspiration seems to find its way through. Only then, is beautiful couture made.

Food Inspired Fashion



(Photos by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s fall 2009 collection from Milan Fashion week
Image Credit: Coutorture

Lego Inspired Fashion
French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac introduces Lego to the high fashion world with Lego inspired hats and glasses made from real Lego bricks





(Photos by Photo Agency)

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Spring/Summer 2009 collection, Paris Fashion Week
Image Credit: Zimbio

Columbia Bio-fashion week 2009


(REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga)

Colombian designer Nataly Jojoa, 2009 Biofashion week
Image Credit: (REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga)

Music Inspired Fashion

(Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Fall 2009 collection
Image Credit: Coutorture

Pac-Man Inspired Fashion
Designer Giles Deacon brought in Pac-man fashion to Milan with Pacman-inspired head gears/ helmets






Photo by Marcio Madeira. See style for more

Giles Deacon’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection
Image Credit: TrendLand

Though unusual, these are beautiful pieces! They capture the essence of fashion. They make you see differently. They stick in your head.

This is where health comes in.

If couture can be inspired by leaves/ trees, Lego bricks, food and even Midway’s Pac-man video game, then why not health? The state of both global and domestic health is quite alarming particularly in the area of women’s health. What better way to raise awareness than through health-inspired couture? In my opinion, when creativity and art can be channeled effectively into fashion, powerful health messages can be created. It provides an opportunity for consumers, to find out about a health issue, get interested in it, take measures to protect themselves from a poor health outcome or decide to be part of making a difference.

With couture, half the time, the question people ask is “where in the world would you wear these things??” With health-inspired couture however, this question can be answered- it is a different kind of couture-one with a message. It aims to jolt the senses, to get the word out, to get people to start talking and to force people to take positive action.

Why not Fashion?