the obi series – consisting of four pieces - is one of the most historical series of all of the Ø archive collection.

each Ø archive collection takes a single textile artifact and creates multiple pieces from it, until the original artifact is completely used; transformed in to many new articles of clothing.

the obi series is made from a textile artifact discovered in St Quen Clignancourt antique market in Paris.

an obi is the waist cloth wrapped around a kimono in traditional geisha dress. the width of a traditional obi is 30cm (11.8”).

this obi cloth, before cutting, was traditional width. to make a full garment, additional textile components were added based on the weaving style and the motifs within the obi brocade, and the history conveyed by the vendor.

Ø places the origin of this artifact as China and, given the modern western influenced motif, Ø believes that it was produced during Japanese occupation (mid 1930’s to early 1940s). we can speculate that the piece got to France during wartimes - and trade times - when china was a national ally

in the obi series, seam details are highlighted with gold metallic 3mm trim. flaws in the fabric (from age) were reinforced and highlighted in gold metallic thread to created a unique motif that is signature to Ø.

Ø are transforming a global fashion artefact collection of textile remnants into new one-off pieces in a zerowaste process. our collection contains pieces that have been acquired over the past 25 years from different world cultures and different eras. 

each piece has individual heritage and provenance before it came to the studio and is added to when it leaves the studio. the last remaining scraps from our process go into hand made paper or as raw materials for artists.

when you wear an archive piece, please be mindful that you are part of an economic microcosm. 6-8 women worked on this piece. your appreciate of beauty and skill supports their work.

Ø provides a safe and nurturing work environment for women who have survived victimization. we partner with a local non-profit that provides housing, care, and counsel to women transitioning out of addiction and sex trafficking.