little brown dress

Today is the first time in a year that Alex Martin that will change her clothes.

Since July 7, 2005, Alex has been wearing the same dress, which she designed and made herself. The Brown Dress project began as a statement. In her own words:

In this performance, I intend to reject our sweat-shop-supporting economy of over-consumption, and the bill of goods that has been sold, especially to women, about what makes a person good, attractive and interesting. Clothes are certainly part of this image, and the expectation is immense. The economic resources required to regularly purchase newly-manufactured clothing in retail stores are staggering – a hundred dollars for one new shirt?

It's a pretty amazing project, not one that I'd be able to do. It takes a lot of dedication to stand up (and dress up) for what you believe in every single day.

Visit the Brown Dress site for Alex's journal, photos from the year, and a downloadable pattern of the infamous dress.