Berlin Collection
In 2023, Queer Needlework Circle hosted a weekly crafting circle at Village.Berlin! In these gatherings, each participant aimed to develop our own costumes. Under the guidance of Theodorus Johannes, we have made a fashion collection that represents Queer folks of the 21st century. Together we've looked for techniques, shapes, motifs and colors that give your clothes a symbolic value.
a Fashion Collection
What is necessary for culture or symbolism to arise within a piece of clothing? How can you make clothes that reveal where you come from, in which environment you live or show to which group you belong? After years of research into Dutch regional costumes, Theodorus Johannes has developed a design method that allows you to create your own traditional costume with the clothes you own and the clothes you make.
In these weekly circles, we start off by taking a closer look at our ways of dressing to discover what our method of self-expression is. Do folks in queer realms have a specific way of expressing who we are? We will also investigate how our ancestors dressed and how we can convert this into (clothing) designs that you can apply in your own wardrobe. Knitting, crochet, embroidery and sewing are some of the techniques we will be exchanging in the process. We will gradually move towards developing our own clothes that will form into a fashion collection. You get to keep the clothes you made in the process.
Bio Theodoor
Theodorus Johannes (they / them) is a designer, researcher and storyteller. Since 2017, they have been making the online documentary series “Community Dressing”, in which the differences and similarities between Dutch regional costumes and today's fashion are investigated. Theodoor examines fashion as a complex but powerful form of communication, in which they often highlight themes such as identity and authenticity. Communities, folklore and textile crafts are central to their design practice.
Closing event:
Saturday August 5th – 12.30h - 17.00h
Village.Berlin (Kurfurstenstrasse 31)
Theodoor's last group session is titled Wearable Quilted Identities. RSVP to the event via the Telegram Messenger groupchat or the Village Berlin website:
