The Uniform Dress Project on the pursuit of style and conscientious living.
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When admiring Matheiken's one-of-a-kind togs, whether it be a Tour de France-inspired ensemble or a pair of lace knee highs that parades her Harajuku moxie, it's hard to fathom how these looks could be anything but premeditated, but as The Uniform Project's muse shares, between her day job as a creative director at an interactive ad agency and juggling her seemingly sleepless side project, hers is the schedule of a superhero. A telephone booth away from a cape crusader's wardrobe break, Matheiken simply doesn't have the time to spend all night planning her next showcase outfit, and as she impishly points out, what fun would there be in that?
"I like the sort of serendipity and chance involved in just throwing something together and sometimes it's really surprising how things come together," she giggles. "Some of the days I walk out of the house not having a clue whether it's actually hideous or cool but I don't really care," she laughs. "I have to not care or else I will drive myself crazy!"
Luckily Chance has plenty to play with; in fact between Matheiken limited closet space and the huge response from those who wish to donate accessories in support of the cause, a screening process had to be implemented. "I have a pretty eclectic style but there are some things that just won't work with the uniform," explains Matheiken. "I don't want to be accumulating more stuff that kind of defeats the purpose of this project."
I like the sort of serendipity and chance involved in just throwing something together and sometimes it's really surprising how things come together, says Matheiken.Struck with the feeling that she's traveled far beyond the parameters of her personal aesthetic Matheiken basks in the unfamiliarity.
"I think that's the beauty of this for me," she says of the change, "cause I wanted this project to really push my creative boundaries and it's definitely doing that."
The Uniform Project is a hybrid of cultural commentary, artistic experiment and socially-astute charity. And while the service leg of the project is fund raising, it's Matheiken quirky and enthralling fashion savvy that has taken hold of the public.
"We're not activist by any means," affirms Matheiken. "But this was really a fun and friendly attempt at making sustainability a fun thing, to freshen up that dialogue and to show that style and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive and needn't be mutually exclusive."
All accessories considered, it may just be time to bid farewell to fast fashion and its fair weather friends.
For more information on the Uniform Project or to donate funds or accessories, please visit www.theuniformproject.com.
Check out some of Matheiken's looks so far right here!
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