Wearable Art - Wearable Fiber Art

Wearable Fiber Art

Artists creating wearable fiber art may use purchased finished fabrics or other materials, making them into unique garments, or may dye and/or paint virgin fabric. Many believe that art is something that requires money in order to make it, but a lot of clothing artists are now starting local clothing companies that produce quality art work and clothing for a decent price. Wearable art isn not restricted to jewellery but is also seen in graphic T-shirts and even pants.

As with any other art form, the talent and skills of artists in this field vary widely. Since the nature of the medium requires craft skills as well as artistic skills, an advanced artist can be expected to study color theory, chemistry, sewing, clothing design, and computer software such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Classes in clothing design and marketing may be learned from such colleges as the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

The New Zealand city of Nelson has gained a worldwide reputation in the field of wearable art, with its World of WearableArt Awards, held annually since 1987. From 2005, the show moved to Wellington. In Australia, the Shearwater Wearable Arts or W.A.V.E. (Wearable Arts Vision In Education) has developed from a High School initiative to become a leading Wearable Arts Event.