First-Year class takes field trip to visit local textile artist

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) students in Visiting Instructor of Fashion and Apparel Design Sarah Eichhorn’s First-Year Experience class ventured outside of the classroom to hear from local textile artist and community educator Vanessa Devaki Andrew.

Andrew’s storefront, Madam Chino, “strives to remove the vanity and social irresponsibility from fashion through creative reuse,” making it the perfect fit for Eichhorn’s First-Year Experience class. Research, Process and Connection: The Anti-Fashion of Fashion aims to dive deep into the fashion industry and explore how it impacts our everyday lives. Students cover topics related to social justice and sustainability and implement creative problem solving to address the changing fashion industry.

Emphasizing reuse and sustainability, 18 first-year students received a tour of Madam Chino, which offers vintage and organic fabrics, handmade and local products, clothing and accessories, zines and sewing classes. The visit culminated in a sewing demonstration and project by Andrew. RPC students learned how to make a self-lining bag and each left with a customized item and a new set of sewing skills.

While not participating in field trips, RPC students also prepared an exhibition of their classwork. “Mended: The Anti-Fashion Exhibition” showcases hand-mended and embellished clothing, adding a personal intervention to an existing garment. The exhibition is on view in MIAD’s Community Hub gallery space (Room 160) from October 20 – November 18, 2023.

Learn more about MIAD’s First-Year Experience and its Fashion and Apparel Design major, and visit MIAD’s galleries to view student work from this class!