Wardrobes of Graz

Clothes are never just clothes. They reveal identity, remind us of stories, and shape an image of who we are. In Graz (Austria), thousands of tons of clothing pass through donation containers every year: some gets a second life, but a large portion ends up as waste. What does that say about us? Who or what are we really throwing away?

Wardrobes of Graz is a research project supported by Fast Forward from Fonds Podium kunsten. We dive into the local ecosystem of clothing flows. We collaborate with LaStrada Graz, ModeSchule Graz, and Caritas clothing recycling. We test new working methods using the clothing container as a starting point. This summer, we transformed a vacant building into a performative sorting center: a place where bags full of discarded clothes are unpacked, examined, and reassembled. From reconstructions and performances to video and installation—everything arises from the finds in the containers.

Visitors are invited to step inside, watch, and become part of this process. Because here, it's not just about clothing, but about the identities hidden within—and about the possibility of restoring value to what was thrown away. We also created a custom catwalk which we presented in the Caritas sorting center. The project will continue until 2026, so keep an eye on us.