The Wishing Rail – Make Your Wish For a Better World
An artistic complement to the catwalk, Neishaa Gharat’s Wishing Rail presented a new take on the designer’s interest in sustainable fashion at the Oxfam Fashion Show during the London Mela, a celebration of Asian culture.
An interactive installation, viewers were invited to tie cut pieces of previously-loved textiles to a recycled clothing rack, with each strip representing a single wish. At the Mela, thousands of visitors performed this prompt, engaging with the piece and “together wishing for a better world.”
The initial inspiration came from a ‘Wishing Tree’ which, in many Asian cultures, is where people tie a knot with a piece of paper or cloth with their wish written down or thought in their mind and pray so that their wishes come true.” – Neishaa Gharat
With this philanthropic allusion and its recycled construction, the Wishing Rail has both conceptually and physically embodied the spirit of Oxfam – an idea that both Neishaa and Oxfam sought to capture through their collaboration.
What is really unique about this year’s event is a fashion show by Neishaa Gharat which will help create an experience that brings the audience closer to the ethos of re-use, recycling and recreating. It also identifies with Oxfam’s organisational values, culture and work in south Asia. Pieces from the fashion show will be available to buy in the Oxfam online shop straight after the show. Be quick or you will miss out.” – Oxfam’s Trading Director, Andrew Horton
