Eliza Starbuck and Sheena Matheiken
Over the past year we got to hear a lot about Sheena Matheiken and The Uniform Project, a mission that led Matheiken to wear the same dress for one year in as many ways as she creatively could.
The project’s intent was to be a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement revolutionizing education in India. At the end of Matheiken’s 365 day roll with the LBD, all contributions went toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.
Not only did The Uniform Project make money, it also inspired many women to rethink fashion and how they clothe themselves and how one could really work the hell out of one piece.
Personally, I don’t think I heard enough about Eliza Starbuck, the designer of Matheiken’s dress (sorry Sheena). Really though, without her dress there was no campaign.
On her site, Starbuck explains how The Uniform Project came about:
“I was leaving the fashion industry – weary of its wastefulness and the hyper-consumerism it engenders, but still fascinated by original style and looking for a way to inspire myself. Sheena was bored at her office job; she wanted to give herself a creative and philanthropic challenge. When we met, neither of us knew that we were starting on a great adventure that would take us around the world; along the way, we met many bright young things who helped advance our cause in so many important and unforeseen ways.”
Starbuck’s referral to the “Bright Young Things,” are her fashion dandies with 37 on her site alone sporting the LBD she created for Matheiken (god knows how many more are out there). Three of them (including Starbuck) are actually doing their own “Wear-a-Thons” similar to The Uniform Project but are unsure as to how long it will last.
Eliza Starbuck, Day Three
Starbuck herself has said a month to a year (she’s on Day eight).
Kristin Arzt, Day One
Bright Young Thing Kristin Arzt is on day 21.
Kathleen Scully, Day 14
Kathleen Scully is on day 15.
Keep track of all their inspired looks at the Bright Young Things site or buy one for yourself and take on your own challenge!