Eli Thompson

“Pareidolia is the phenomenon of finding shapes in the clouds.

The dusky red of forest fire skies is where I began with my outfit, as Resene Arriba is almost an exact match for that colour. With climate change set in progress, forest fires are expected to paint the skies more and more often. The circular cutout in the back of the outfit is a nod to this image of the sun cutting through red smoke clouds.

And where there is smoke, there is fire. I took inspiration from firefighters and hazmat suits because I expect that, just as military uniforms influence fashion now, in the future so will the uniforms of these much-needed heroes. The neckline is representative of the high necks and structured hoods often featured in personal protective equipment, and the horizontal design lines are pulled from the reflective tape seen on the firefighter's gear. Oversized fit and wide leg pants are consistent in these uniforms, and my design emphasises the wideness in the pants to create a sense of stability, balancing out the neckline.

When researching the effects of climate change on the fashion world I found a forecasted trend called "Nocturnal Living" on WGSN, which talks about the possibility of humans becoming nocturnal, due to rising midday temperatures. This brought me to think about Aotearoa’s native nocturnal animals, particularly the wētā, for its brownish reddish tone. We may have to change to live in the dark, and in fashion we could see adaptations to richer, brighter colours and bolder shapes, to compete with the night. The use of reversed French seams on the panels brings in the pattern of the wētā's exoskeleton and the tie closures are reminiscent of the wētā's antenna.

In a hot and polluted world, clothes that protect us while not overheating us will be of paramount importance. The structured legs and neck keep the fabric off the body, allowing the skin to remain cool.

All in all, this outfit is the product of imagining the possibility of a future I hope to avoid, and I think the only way to change what is coming is to never give up on talking about it.”

Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion clothing - 2024

Photography by Natasha Boshkovski Photography

Find out more   Return to gallery