Fashion and Nature - Grand Rapids Public Museum

Now Open!

The GRPM original exhibit Fashion and Nature examines the relationship between the natural world and the fashion industry, inspiring and educating visitors to become better consumers.

Designed and built internally by the GRPM staff with input from community partners, Fashion and Nature showcases a wide variety of scientific specimens and fascinating garments from the Museum’s Collections. Visitors will journey through discovery, exploitation and sustainability, with interactive modules in each section, and be inspired and encouraged to become better consumers and help reduce the harmful impacts of the fashion industry.

The beauty and diversity of the natural world offers materials, colors, patterns, shapes, and rich visual and textural inspiration. Visitors will examine fashion trends throughout history, like how mussel shells were used in the button industry, how beaver pelts were made into hats, how iridescent beetles were incorporated into garment embellishments and more, including today’s current fashion trends created by local designers with sustainability in mind.

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Visitors will encounter three different areas in Fashion and Nature: discovery, exploitation and sustainability that will feature artifact displays, hands-on interactives, and unique photo opportunities. Entering the exhibit, visitors will discover how the natural world has continuously inspired fashion by viewing a variety of scientific specimens and fascinating garments. The exhibit demonstrates how the fashion industry has impacted the environment, people’s lives, and the global economy. The exhibit concludes by highlighting sustainability, focusing on various ways both fashion producers and consumers are taking steps to reduce the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. Visitors will learn about innovations within fashion design that are being used to make clothing and accessories more sustainable, including in the West Michigan region. Fashion and Nature will be available in both English and Spanish.

Throughout the exhibit, visitors will be able to use all of their senses to learn and experience the content. Interactive components include: “touch-its” of tactile samples which include fabric textiles and 3D printed models of objects on display, an augmented reality Imagine Mirror interactive where patrons can virtually “try on” fashion pieces from the GRPM’s Collections and snap a photo to share with friends and family, and an interactive water activity to test visitor knowledge of how much water is used in various fashion-related activities.

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Fashion and Nature is Great for School Groups!

Learners can explore the relationship between the fashion industry and the natural environment that will inspire us with sustainable ways we can reduce the harmful impacts of the fashion industry. This exhibit showcases a wide variety of scientific specimens and fascinating garments from the GRPM Collections organized through the ideas of discovery, exploitation and sustainability.

This exhibit is included with any visit to the GRPM. Book your visit today by clicking below!

Dive Deeper with These Reading Recommendations From Kent District Library

The GRPM and Kent District Library have teamed up to offer you more fun and excitement learning about fashion and nature with English and Spanish book titles for all ages, available to check out today!