Transforming Museum Banners into garments by Martha von Guenther

WHAT: The project is a material narrative that touches upon creating new designs from the existing. Martha von Guenther developed a series of outerwear garments and accessories from discarded museum banners. On a product level the project searches for solutions how a material considered as „waste“ can become again alive in a new form. On a coneptual level the project investigates how a material driven approach can contribute to a changing fashion system.

HOW: The design process started with collecting banners from museums and went from testing the material, investigating shapes, prototyping, to testing pattern placements according to the prints on the banners. All garments are unique, sewn by hand with different stitching techniques inspired by leather processing.

WHY: Our sourroundings are full with materials and a new perspective can turn „waste“ into a new meaningful purpose. By focusing on exploring the material, its properties, realising final pieces such as coats and jackets with handcraft techniques, the banner becomes a valuable material worth keeping it, and being used in a circular economy.