Clothing can be considered in many different ways. It can be fashion, style, protection, or a uniform. Some individuals put a great deal of thought into what to wear everyday, and for others,  it is not thought about much at all. The relationships we have with our clothing and the value of clothing has changed a great deal in the last two decades. Over the last 20 years, the production of clothing has doubled and the global consumption of fashion has increased by 400%. This increased production and consumption of clothing has created a global textile waste crisis. The crisis is multifaceted affecting land, water, climate and people and the challenges to deal with the crisis are increasing. How can these challenges be considered aside from seeing images of huge piles of clothing, known as textile mountains, growing across the globe? How can individuals engage and feel empowered to be part of positive change in addressing  the textile waste crisis? In what ways can art communicate the severity and importance of the issues around textile waste and inspire individual action?

An Exhibition Opening October 3, 2025

UNCOVERING FASHION is a research project developed by Kimberly Guthrie, chairman and associate professor at VCU’s Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising. The project collaborates with local Richmond organizations and businesses to collect discarded garments. These garments will serve as materials for artwork created by VCUarts fashion design faculty for an exhibition at the Main Street Station Gallery in October 2025.

The UNCOVERING Fashion project is funded by a VCUarts Dean’s Research Grant.

Last spring, we placed boxes throughout Richmond to collect clothing that can no longer be worn.

Our community partners graciously let us use their spaces to collect these donations and we could not have done it without them.

VCU fashion faculty then took on the challenge of turning piles of clothing waste into thought provoking pieces of art.

Hear From the Artists