dressin(g)progress #1
fast fashion
Yelena’s graduation project at the University of the Arts Utrecht seamlessly weaves together feminist theory and performance art through the medium of fashion. Her collection, initially conceived for a traditional photoshoot, evolved into an intricate commentary on labor, collaboration, and the performative nature of fashion. By organizing a dynamic setup across two studios, she blurred the boundaries between creation and presentation. In one studio, Yelena sewed her designs, while in the other, models were styled and photographed. The spontaneous observation by the department head that this process resembled a performance became a pivotal moment, prompting Yelena to view her project as a satirical microcosm of the fashion world. Through this unintentional performance, Yelena highlights feminist concerns surrounding labor and visibility, particularly in industries where behind-the-scenes work is often overshadowed by final products. Her project foregrounds the traditionally feminine-coded act of sewing, usually hidden or undervalued, elevating it to a central role in the artistic narrative. The bustling ecosystem of her two studios can be interpreted as a critique of how fashion constructs its glamour by concealing the collaborative, often exploitative, labor behind its production. By consciously acknowledging and amplifying these dynamics, Yelena aligns her work with feminist theories that interrogate the intersection of gender, labor, and spectacle. This realization not only informed her approach to art but also catalyzed her shift toward performance art as a medium. Her work reclaims the power of process and collaboration, turning the act of creation itself into a stage where hidden labor is celebrated, not obscured, embodying a feminist reimagining of the fashion industry.
Crew: Yelena Myshko, Yuriy Butenko Butermann, Yannis Kyriazos, Stefan Immanuël Fiole, Jean-Baptist Trannoy, Cristina Hohan, Aaltje Kramer, Donata Kramarz, Janneke Scherpenhuyzen, Elisabeth van Sandick, Valentijn de Hingh, Margriet Dorrestijn, Linde van der Velden, Ynchomar Dossett, Aida Kristina Dedeic
