The iconic newspaper dress designed by the house of Xandria generated quite a sensation this year when it was reported that it is being auctioned for K 200,000. The dress, which was first made public in 2019, was made out of a hundred Malawian Nation newspapers.
The general population was confused as to why a dress that cannot be washed and to some extent unwearable is being sold for that much. Of course, many people fail to realize is that like the paintings people buy and hang on their walls, fashion is also considered a form of art. The newspaper dress is a clear reminder that fashion usefulness does not always necessitate its wearing; it is also a message on its own that art can be used to express the creative potential of the human intellect.
Back in 2019, the founder of Xandria, also the designer of the aforementioned outfit, was directly quoted by the Malawi National Newspaper as saying that the goal behind the creation of the dress was to visually demonstrate how we can save the environment if we reuse, recycle, and reduce. The designer explored fashion, like any other kind of art which can be utilized to express, communicate, and display different kinds of messages. She put out a statement that fashion, like other forms of art (such as music) can be utilized as a vehicle for social change. And that designers, as artists, can express themselves, their views and opinions through fashion.
The return of the dress to the fashion scene should motivate existing and aspiring fashion designers to use fashion for more than just financial gain. May it encourage them to create extraordinary clothing that challenges their art and us as well.
Fashion knows no bounds. I hope that this year, more designers will dazzle us with their eccentric designs , and audience will learn to be more open minded.
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