International Wardrobe

Allgemeine Informationen

INTERNATIONAL WARDROBE is an unusual type of fashion project, conceived by Katharina Koppenwallner. She travels around the world, beyond the well-trodden paths of the major cities, in search of local and regional folk art. Her principal interest, and the focus of her research is in the field of folk costumes and other textiles such as traditional hand-made cushion covers. This is no dilettantish, tourism-inspired collector enthusiasm: Koppenwallner is committed to a serious study of specific dress styles, patterns and techniques. She acquires individual garments locally, some of them decades old, and all with a real-world history, having truly belonged to someone, having been made for and duly worn by that individual person, and indeed showing all the signs of wear. While in some cases a garment may undergo slight modification, in principle all are preserved as originals and are made available in due course for purchase. In each case the description of the individual item outlines its context and explains its significance in the cultural history of its country of origin, so that one is not simply buying a jacket or a scarf, but rather a piece of cultural identity complete with historical context. After all, these traditional folkloristic textile traditions are born out of the deep human need for identity, differentiation, or togetherness. Today, this aspect is particularly relevant for indigenous peoples, such as the hill tribes of Southeast Asia.

INTERNATIONAL WARDROBE
THE STORE

Almstadtstrasse 50, 10119 Berlin
(next to the Pro qm book store)

Regular opening hours:
Thursday- Saturday 12 - 8 pm
and by appointment
(info@internationalwardrobe.com)