“A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever…”
Clothes full of meaning and Joy
What is Style Stories?
Style Stories is a celebration of the memories attached to the clothes we love and have fun with.
Everyone has a piece of clothing that means a lot. Whether it’s the dress you wore at your wedding, the suit you wore to Prom, the shoes you wore to climb a mountain or the jacket you wore to every concert you’ve ever attended. Do you have a lucky tie? Or a Saree you were given by a member of the family? Perhaps you have a coat from the 50’s that you keep in perfect condition, or maybe a pair of denim jeans from the 70’s that you are constantly repairing or adding patches to.
Style Stories invites you to examine your own relationship to fashion and celebrate the pieces of clothing that you love, with the aim of inspiring you to approach fashion in a more environmentally sustainable way.
Whatever the fashion, whatever the item; if it means something to you, you have a Style Story of your own…
Use the links below to access the different stages of the project.
The Story of Style Stories
Gathering Stories
Photoshoot
Style Stories Examples
Style Stories Exhibition & Artist Workshops in Queensgate
Style Stories Trail
The Story of Style Stories
Style Stories began with a discussion among the New Creatives as they explored options for a new project to appeal to Peterborough and its young people. The project needed to be about sustainability, so the New Creatives decided to respond to the issue of Fast Fashion. Style Stories grew out of a desire to draw attention the potential of older clothes and the fond memories we make in them; with the goal of encouraging people to embrace the idea of wearing older clothes (perhaps after modifying them) instead of always buying new ones.
This would be achieved via the gathering of stories from Peterborough residents, who would talk about the clothes they own and have made memories in. Certain individuals would then be invited with their special item of clothing to attend a professional photoshoot. The photos and gathered stories would then be featured in an exhibition for the public.
Gathering Stories
The Style Stories were gathered from Peterborough residents at various events around the city across 2023.
Such events included:
Earth Day at the Key Theatre
TDET Sustainability Conference at Queen Katharine Academy
Peterborough Environmental City Trust Event at the Key Theatre
Peterborough Celebrates Festival
Welcome Weekender Event at the Key Theatre
Over 200 stories were collected across these events with the help of artists Rose Croft and Tanya Akrofi.
Photoshoot
Several members of the public who had contributed stories were invited to bring their special item of clothing to a photoshoot with professional photographer, Thomas Byron.
Style Stories Examples
The high-quality photos were paired with their stories to create exhibits, as seen below...
Anne’s Story
Anne in her Hat
“This hat was made for my Grandmother in the 1960s. I haven’t worn it in a long time but I have it in my bedroom so I see it every day. I would like to be the old lady who wears hats ”
Tony’s Story
Tony in his jacket
“I used to go to lots of discos in the 1970s and this was one of my disco jackets. A friend’s daughter said, “If you’re going to throw it out I’ll have it…” which made me realise how cool it is.”
Laura’s Story
Laura in her denim skirt and matching jacket
“I found the skirt in a charity shop years ago and fell in love with it, I came across the matching jacket on Depop and I was like OMG I have to get this. Since then, I have worn the set together and have made repairs rather than throwing it away.”
Jack’s Story
Jack in his piece of clothing
“This piece of clothing is important to me as I commissioned it for my first compering gig last year. When I put it on, it feels like my armour, I feel fabulous.”
Style Stories Exhibition & Artist Workshops in Queensgate
From 10am - 5pm on Saturday 28 September 2024, our team was at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough to showcase a Style Stories exhibition. With photographs, stories and actual clothes as collected and curated from over 200 real stories from Peterborough residents of all ages. We also partnered with four local artists to run free workshops for participants aged 12+.
Workshops:
Materials With Memories with Fasiha (10am - 11:30am)
This workshop was about capturing the essence of positive experiences and memories using fabric markers or beads with meaningful items of clothing. By the end of the session, attendees transformed their items of clothing into unique and wearable piece of art.
Mindful Embroidery with Sean (11:30am - 1pm)
This workshop taught the practice and benefits of embroidery. Attendees learned two new and varied stitches.
Upcycling Clothes Without A Sewing Machine with Linda (1pm - 2:30pm)
This workshop taught how to re-purpose old T-shirts and sweatshirts into more stylish ones, and how to make a belt or corset belt with a pocket from an old pair of Jeans, none of which require any sewing at all.
Indian Block Printing with Madhu (2:30pm - 4:30pm)
This workshop taught the process and history of wooden block printing. Attendees brought old and loved pieces of clothing to modify.
About the Artists:
Fasiha is a Peterborough based artist, telling stories through illustration, painting and paper cutting. By incorporating traditional South Asian elements in her work, she weaves a tapestry of visual storytelling that resonates with personal and collective histories.
Sean Dendere is a Freelance Designer, Artist and Creative Facilitator based in Peterborough and London.
Linda Genever is an artist based in Peterborough and has personally created many items of clothing - including a piece featured in Style Stories.
Madhu is a visual artist based in Peterborough. Her practice includes drawing, painting and textile works. As artist and a woman of Indian heritage, her work draws on traditions, materials and processes from her roots.
Style Stories Trail
Style Stories Trail Map: Designed by Paper Rhino
Following our Style Stories Exhibition launch event, the various curated accounts and photos were displayed in establishments in-and-around Peterborough Centre - where they were kept until Thursday 17 October.
Where stories could be found:
Sue Ryder: Charley & Alex, Miles and Cheryl & Rowena
METAL: Jack, Sean and Fiona
Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery: Faustina and Jen & Andrew
Central Library: Fasiha, Andrew and Daz
Dice Box: Mark & Kenneth
Djibo Art: Maureen & Angel
Refill Revolution: Katherine
Soul Happy: Jeni
Simply Fabric: Amrita
Train Station: Ann and Tony
Style Stories Logo: Designed by Paper Rhino
Style Stories Credits:
Exhibition Photos by Thomas Byron Photography
Design by Paper Rhino
An additional thank-you to artists Rose Croft and Tanya Akrofi
Thanks to Sue Ryder for their generous loan of vintage clothes for this project.
Style Stories is supported by Arts Council England