THE UNIFORM PROJECT

What is it?

The Video Explaination:



(From her website:)

The Idea

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir.

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

The Story of Uniforms

I was raised and schooled in India where uniforms were a mandate in most public schools. Despite the imposed conformity, kids always found a way to bend the rules and flaunt a little personality. Boys rolled up their sleeves, wore over-sized swatches, and hiked up their pants to show off their high-tops. Girls obsessed over bangles, bindis and bad hairdos. Peaking through the sea of uniforms were the idiosyncrasies of teen style and individual flare. I now want to put the same rules to test again, only this time I'm trading in the catholic school fervor for an eBay addiction and relocating the school walls to this wonderful place called the internet.

The Dress

How do you design a dress that can be worn all year around? The mastermind behind the uniform dress is my friend and designer, Eliza Starbuck. We took inspiration from one of my staple dresses, improving upon the shape and fit to add on some seasonal versatility. The dress is designed so it can be worn both ways, front and back, and also as an open tunic. It’s made from a durable, breathable cotton, good for New York summers and good for layering in cooler seasons. With deep hidden pockets to appease my deep aversion for carrying purses. More photos of the dress and the dressmaking process coming soon to the Uniform Blog.

The Accessories

The hats and plumes, the dickeys and drapes, the shoes and slips, the belts and brooches – much of what you will see are byproducts of my cyber-slacking on eBay and Etsy, backed by visits to the many local vintage boutiques, thrift stores and flea markets of New York. I am also collaborating with other designers and friends to create original pieces. If you are looking to purge some of your old accessories or if you would like to design a piece or concept an ensemble for The Uniform Project, see Donate Accessories.

The project was written up in the New York Times Magazine blog on November 6th too!

You may be asking --- What has she worn so far?
May, June, July, August, September, October, November...
Tragically there was a fatal accident in the building where they were holding the 6 month celebration of this project last weekend and they have suspended photos at this time. From all that I've read about Jerry Fuchs it sounds like he was a wonderful friend, band mate and overall great man and that he will be missed.

They are still taking donations during this time of mourning even though they have stopped posting photos as of November 10th. I am hoping she will start up again after a period of mourning as this is such an interesting project.

Living Large for Less in NYC

Hurry -- Some deals expire soon!!

Three ways to get out there are see more of it for less in NYC.

Carnegie Hall's Prelude Notables Membership

If you're 39 or under as of September 1, 2009 you can join the $20 Notables membership and are able to purchase tickets (I think 2 tickets per performance) to Carnegie Hall Presents shows for... $20 each while they last.

I've been using this membership for 1 month so far and have seen:

Ravi Shanker & Anoushka Shanker

The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile

Lang

Lang and Friends

New York City Opera's BIG DEAL

From their website:

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL!?

The ultimate cultural experience. Fun, accessible, affordable…a BIG DEAL!

Between 21 – 39 years of age? Save BIG on tickets!
New York City Opera’s BIG DEAL! program offers opera-goers 21 to 39 years old an affordable and easy way to experience world-class opera at a fraction of the price. Big Dealers can buy two orchestra tickets at just $30 each, two weeks before any performance. That’s a savings of up to $115 per ticket!

I've had a Big Deal membership for a few years... although last year they didn't offer it as the Opera was more closed than open. The offerings are fewer than in years past due to financial troubles in this economy. Go out and enjoy Opera in NYC! We don't want to loose it!

Tickets for $25 or Less
Don't want to get a membership and don't have a lot of cash? For every performance during the season, New York City Opera offers tickets for $25 or less both as single tickets and on subscription packages. These $20 and $12 seats are located in our 4th and 5th ring for every performance.

New York Philharmonic

From their website:

For a limited time you can experience the magic of Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic at an extraordinary introductory rate: pick your favorite three concerts* and you'll receive a 33% discount. That's like getting one of your hand-picked concerts free.

BUT HURRY – THIS OFFER ENDS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH AT MIDNIGHT.

After that, the cost of great music goes up.