CREATING THAT "WORN" LOOK

I am Finished

This exhibition is focused on exploration of the techniques that are used to create the diverse and final looks of Denim.

Finishing Denim

I'm Finished

created by Fashion Anonymous

Funded by UT Green Fund

Fashion is Fast

Trends come and go

Pollution can last forever.

12-16 hours a day can be the usual day for a worker in the finishing industry

Cotton: The Threads Holing US Together

Blue Gold: Dyeing for Denim

Sewing: #whomademyclothes

CHEMICALS USED

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE FINISHING INDUSTRY

A photo series by Lu Guang a GreenPeace Photographer

Image by Lu Guang

Wastewater discharged from a denim washing factory in Xintang. “Xintang and Gurao are symbols of success in China's export-model economy, yet we were horrified by the environmental degradation,” says Greenpeace Toxics campaigner Mariah Zhao. Greenpeace testing found five heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead and copper) in 17 out of 21 samples taken in two towns. In one sample, cadmium exceeded China's national limits by 128 times

Image by Lu Guang

A Greenpeace campaigner takes a water sample from a polluted river near Dadun village, Xintang. The charity visited the two towns between April and September last year.“Everyone says that people who work in dyeing and washing have reproductive and fertility problems. My cousin once worked in a dyeing plant. He died of pleurisy,” says Lin Zhixin, a migrant worker from Sichuan

Image by Lu Guang

Every morning, workers search through wastewater to scoop out the stones used to make stonewash denim

Image by Lu Guang

These five children go to school during the day and work at night and on weekends in a fabric workshop. Three are local children, and two are from Hunan and Guizhou. They get 0.3 yuan each for every 100 bra straps that they attach to a machine accessory, which will be used in the next step of the bra assembly process. In one day they can earn 20 to 30 yuan

Image by Lu Guang

Once fertile fields outside Gurao lay abandoned

EACH SEASON THE FADES CHANGE TO KEEP US CONSUMING

1989 Prime Acid Wash- Invented by Gaultier, The process destroyed many rivers overseas from the wast

2009- John Paul Gaultier and Levi Collection

2020- Acid Wash Re-emerges

1970's - Cher Classic White Denim

2000- Gabrielle Union White Denim

2015-White Denim

2001 - "Grunge" Sandblasted Denim

2011- Sandblasted Denim Continues

2020- Grunge Denim Trend

A few byproducts of acid washed denim are pumice stones, hydrogen peroxide and indigo.

White denim is achieved with a hydrogen peroxide wash, lab grade peroxide can burn through the skin.

Although sandblasting has been banned it is still reported by garment workers. It causes incurable lung disease.

REDEFINING THE FUTURE

Purchase 100% Organic Cotton Denim and It Should Last Decades	Purchasing Vintage Acid Wash Over New	Purchase Natural Un-dyed Denim over White
Purchase Timeless Styles That Will Last for Many Many Seasons	Lazer finished denim	DIY The Worn Look From a Second Hand Pair
Repair Those Pesky Holes	Add Patches and Fabric To Fall Back in Love With an Old Pair