RENTRAYAGE SPRING SUMMER 2022 COLLECTION
This season of Rentrayage expanded on previous iterations of the brand's signature look, which was founded as a sustainable initiative to produce contemporary clothing without contributing to the industry's rampant cycle of waste.
Erin develops each collection by sourcing vintage clothing from shops in New York, Los Angeles and parts of Europe, looking for repeatable fabrics and textiles from which to adopt unique but similar styles. In this way, Rentrayage achieves a completely rare blend and balance of masculinity and femininity within the traditional codes of fashion, creating a modernist aesthetic for women.
A crucial part of the collection since its inception, Rentrayage zeroed in on the sweatshirt dress for Spring Summer 2022. Recognizing the need for comfort and ease in dressing while still feeling jazzed up enough for our grand reentry into society. Erin sources vintage sweatshirts, later overdyeing and entirely recutting them to develop a modern silhouette with the remaining fabric, creating volume and ease.
This is an especially meaningful exhibit to be included in for the Rentrayage team. As it dovetails nicely with Erin’s deep dive into American workwear while sourcing vintage garments for each modern collection. Emphasizing the importance of recycling and considering the past for inspiration of ideas to improve the future. While underscoring the value of American labor in the workforce. Which is a conversation that sadly remains more relevant than ever today.
The importance of social justice within the exhibit mirrors conversations that Erin has been having over the past few years - posing the questions, If fashion is instant language, what are we communicating with the clothing we wear? What do we mean when we talk about national identity? How can we improve the overall system of fashion while still enjoying our place in it, as well as relish in the creativity and freedom of expression that fashion allows?
To really highlight the clothing’s utility and underline its place in our quotidian lives. Erin decided to film the clothing on a farm, gathering the modern collection on dancers at Harlem Valley Homestead. In a celebration of spatial and temporal joy, the film debuted in a community garden. Able to gather for the first time in over a year and a half. The film screening at an East Village garden also featured a small farmers market, coffee, croissants and energetic improvisational dancers. Weaving throughout and around the sculptures installed for the presentation.
Clothing to return to. Reduce. Reuse. Rentrayage.
With Collection VI of Rentrayage, Erin reinforces the idea that clothing can be special without being overwrought; easily, repeatedly worn without being sloppy; that we can be optimistic and excited about the future while still being cautious considering our nation’s past mistakes.
SPONSORS
Community Garden Presentation Credits:
Farmer’s Market Harlem Valley Homestead
Coffee Everyman Espresso
Pastries Nick + Sons
Refreshments Topo Chico
COLLABORATORS
Film Credits:
Director: Lex Sidon
Director of Photography: Peter Fernberger
Editor: Daniel Madoff
Music “Soul,” by Songs: Ohia, Courtesy Of Secretly Distribution
Choreographer: Daphne Fernberger
Dancers: Daphne Fernberger, Ashley Robichaux, Aliza Russell, Haley Sung
Costume Designer: Erin Beatty, Rentrayage
Stylist: Ana Tess
Stylist Assistant: Ching Yeh
Art Director: Su Barber
Hair & Makeup: Marie-Josée Leduc
Camera Operators: Henry Fernberger, Daniel Madoff
Second Unit Camera: Greg Vore
Colorist: Paul Bronkar, Postworks NYC
Special Thanks: Molly Gochman, Harlem Valley Homestead