As part of the Intergenerational Centre of the Goriška Region programme, we organised a fashion show entitled From Wardrobe to Catwalk. The event aimed to foster intergenerational connections, promote collaboration among various organisations and raise awareness of the sustainable use of textiles.
The fashion show was conceived as a socially responsible and creative project, in which participants of different ages and backgrounds presented stylish combinations made from existing clothing. Many of the showcased outfits carried unique personal stories. We aimed to show that fashion does not have to rely on new, mass-produced garments. Instead, clothing can reflect identity, history, memory and environmental awareness. The guiding principle of the event was: we do not create new clothes, we weave new stories from what already exists.
We invited internationally renowned fashion designer Maja Ferme to join us. Drawing on her expertise and experience, she worked as a stylist, ensuring that the outfits were thoughtfully selected and that the event was delivered to a high professional standard. The lively programme was further enriched by dancers from the Petka Dance Group of the Most Association – University of the Third Age, who opened and closed the show with energetic performances.
The fashion show was linked to the nationwide initiative Records of Memory, led by the Dobra Pot Institute. The initiative seeks to preserve older generations’ oral traditions and cultural heritage. In this spirit, during March and April, we collected personal stories, anecdotes and memories related to clothing and the dress culture in the past. These stories were presented in an accompanying exhibition, displayed on two large mannequins hosted by the Lavrič Library Ajdovščina and its branch in Vipava.
The intergenerational fashion show exceeded all expectations. We were deeply moved by the smiling, joyful and proud faces of the participants, who confidently wore clothes from their youth, second-hand pieces or creatively repurposed garments. We are delighted that so many institutions responded to our invitation, and we sincerely thank them for their involvement. A special thank you goes to the Druženje s kvačko (Crochet Gathering) group, who crafted unique crocheted flowers for participants and visitors. We are also grateful to Ajdovščina Care Home, which hosted the event on its premises and co-organised this inspiring fashion story with us.
Neja Fakin (neja.fakin@lu-ajdovscina.si), Ajdovščina AEC