Paris Garbage Hits the Runway
The FRANCEKISS debut collection, born from discarded clothing found on the streets of New York and Paris, challenges traditional fashion norms by transforming urban detritus into high art.
By Vanessa Barros Andrade · February 6, 2024
There is clothing already made. Ready-made. If clothing is the consequence of the first human sin, we’re doing exactly what we’ve been good at doing all along, throwing away the fabric reverberations in place of new ones every year. FRANCEkiss collected the discarded consequences strewn all over the streets of Paris and has now reconfigured them into confrontational causes and is asking us to face them.
Confront the discarded, address why they were no longer valuable. Address your own values. Address your own reaction to ramifications in the shape of shoes. If we can admit that we’ve sinned, If we can have that awareness, we can meet some elucidated heaven of it all.
The artist behind FRANCEKISS embarked on a unique endeavor, transforming discarded clothing found on the streets of New York into a runway collection. Inspired by the abundance of abandoned garments, they seized the opportunity to create a debut collection born from the city’s urban landscape.
This concept was initially conceived in January 2023, with the vision solidifying upon encountering Paris’s unexpectedly clean streets, until a garbage collectors’ strike in March provided the necessary raw materials. With a timeframe mirroring the duration of Fashion Week, the artist and their collaborators collected approximately 300kg (660lb) of clothing over a week, meticulously cleaning each item before beginning the creative process.
In collaboration, the artist adhered to two crucial rules: no modifications to the garments were allowed, save for the use of safety pins, and every piece of clothing, shoe, or accessory found was to be incorporated into the collection. This approach imbued each look with the essence of readymades, echoing the artistic philosophy championed by Marcel Duchamp.
The resulting collection of 40 diverse looks encapsulated the raw energy and authenticity of street fashion, elevating the mundane into the realm of high art. By repurposing discarded clothing, the artist challenged traditional notions of luxury and exclusivity within the fashion industry, offering a commentary on consumerism, waste, and the cyclical nature of trends. Through their unconventional approach, FRANCEKISS not only created a visually striking collection but also sparked conversations about sustainability, creativity, and the transformative power of art.
