“In a world that can be so preoccupied it is easy to forget that every object around us has its own story. It was such amazing journey I had in making of this gown from the 30 years old up cycled newspapers”- Sanyukta Shrestha

Pippa gown, Image credit: Ben Lee

A great piece of art has to have meaning. It has to have a driving force, a muse of inspiration; this becomes a history to encourage its birth.  But when we are able to truly focus and see the story that makes a piece so unique, and so individual we are shown its true value.The life of Wallis Simpson has become a piece of history in its own right. The story of the Socialite turned Duchess, for whom Edward King of England abdicated the throne is a muse and inspiration for romantics all around. One of the romantics,  Sanyukta has combined this romantic inspiration with her own unique piece of history that is set to become a feature piece of her 2013 collection. The eco-friendly designer believes that everything has the possibility of new life, to be re-utilised and given new meaning, which is why she has created a stunning dress out of 30 year old newspaper named Pippa.

The inspiration behind Pippa dress came to Sanyukta organically when she moved to new house. She explains ‘I discovered these 30 years old of history caught up under the floorboards which had been used in an innovative way to insulate the house. Refusing to simply discard these pieces of antiquity I decided to aid another metamorphosis by reincarnating these aged papers into a dreamy romantic wedding dress for my collection that inspired by Wallis Simpson’. 

Newspapers1982-83 found under floorboards

By creating Pippa dress, Sanyukta not only shares her creativity to the world but also a good example of education on upcycling. Upcycling is the new recycling. Essentially, it is a more effective way to recycle whereby disposable products are taken and used to create something of more quality that is higher end. Unlike recycling no energy is used to do this meaning it is more environmentally friendly and beneficial long term.  But more than that, It is a way of life; a way of life that can give opportunities to find new meaning for old things.

‘Pippa gown does not look typically like Wallis’s style but she will reflect persona of Wallis Simpson, a hidden layers, a mystery that surrounds it and a history she will make’ – Sanyukta Shrestha

Just like the inspiration of the collection Wallis Simpson, Pippa is uniquely original and surrounded by mystery. She holds an air of fashion mystic and drama that makes a bold statement that is chic and stylish while still being grand. Like Wallis the Pippa dress is a fairytale evolving through her transformation. The delicate and crafty design of Pippa represents the whimsical discovery that she has taken on her material’s journey from insulation to couture. Much like Wallis herself the Pippa gown has undergone a transformation from ordinary to extraordinary. Her tiered pleats of paper fall dramatically from a belted bust creating juxtaposing of the normality of the paper, with the stunning design. Pippa is primarily made of newspapers and took Sanyukta with five other craftsmen nearly a month to finish. Aided by hand loomed organic cotton and finished with nearly three thousand Swarovski Crystals to ensure that she really dazzles the world.

Upcycled Pippa gown in White Gallery London, Image Credit : Christopher Dadey

The-Standard-1983

Including publications from the 1981 to 1982, such as The Standard, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, The Sun and Motorcycle News, Pippa’s perfectly aged paper truly giving new meaning to an old world style that will ultimately take ‘vintage’ to the next level. This means that not only will Pippa be making a visual statement on the catwalk, she will truly embody the ethical lifestyle by carrying with it its own personal journey.

Sanyukta with model Debora wearing Pippa gown during the launch of 2013 collection at White Gallery London

The idea of 30 year old newspapers being moulded into something so perfectly elegant is magical. Sanyukta’s vision for Pippa is truly inspiring. Alone the paper was serving a purpose but now she will breathe fresh meaning into it so that is can continue on its journey.  And so now the words that shaped our history, the news that changed lives having burst from the floorboard cocoon will be given new life, reincarnated into couture to walk the catwalk in the 2013 collection.

By Laura Greenslade

Read more about Pippa gown on Daisy Green Magazine here:

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