The Dusty by Carolin Kim

The Dusty is a classic looking yet fashion-forward dress and jacket hybrid. Like its singer's namesake (Dusty Springfield), the garment is sophistication and class despite a sad day or a little rain. It is outerwear stylish enough for a dinner party yet intended to be worn by the brave woman who can dart through rain in three-inch slingbacks.

My main goal was to create a garment that can be easily removed and tucked away into a handbag. I chose the form of a wrap garment because of the way it fits like a dress, yet can be removed like a simple jacket. In short, it provides both style and functionality.

Certain outdoor events like a wedding or a funeral can be difficult situations to maneuver in the rain. One must dress for the occasion but despite an umbrella, we and our clothes get wet. The Dusty allows a woman to look appropriately dressed for a special occasion yet provides the shield she needs from inclement weather.

I constructed the garment entirely out of umbrellas salvaged from various garbage cans around New York City found during or shortly after rainstorms. The garment itself was constructed from four umbrellas. The arm elastic is recycled from an old garment.

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