THE VANITAS COLLECTION
CONSCIOUS LUXURY
BY HALEY HALL
THE INSPIRATION
Vanitas still-life paintings encourage viewers to think about the meaningless nature of material possessions while drawing attention to mortality through key motifs in the composition, such as open books, jewelry, an extinguished candle, and a skull hidden within the composition. Artists from Edwaert Collier in 1662 to Pablo Picasso in 1946 have interpreted this theme through a classic and contemporary aesthetic respectively.
These paintings inspired me to consider the ways in which we may connect with our objects in meaningful ways, such as being a conscious consumer. Furthermore, the theme of temporal boundaries and mortality connects with my ethos of using materials that promote the health of Earth, people, and ecosystems.
The Vanitas Collection showcases all organic fabrics, unique natural dyes, and garment construction that minimizes fabric waste. The various symbolic motifs commonly seen in vanitas paintings inspired details within the garments and the collection’s color palette.
organic fabrics and unique natural dyes create a new type of luxury.
Quality garments that consider our environment feature unique natural shades and experimental pattern drafting to minimize waste. Untreated fabrics are contrasted with colorful pigments from natural sources, including Himalayan rhubarb and madder root. Organic cotton, hemp, and cork fabrics consider our environment, creating a luxurious collection in a responsible way.
