Taryn de Vere: Donating Fashion to Archives

In the lead up to the repeal referendum I began creating pieces of wearable art/wearable activism on my body. This began initially in response to the anti choice side who were removing our posters as soon as we could put them up, in Donegal, my home county. I decided I would be the poster and wear something that made people think about the issues involved. Each day I left the house I wore something repeal related. I created about ten headpieces of assorted designs and messaging, a dress with “Who owns a woman’s body?” on it and several necklaces. 

When making my political/activist headpieces I usually made them out of everyday craft items, using some wire, some foam and a glue gun. They were not made for longevity – in fact I often pulled them apart after I’d worn them and created something new with the pieces. 

My headpieces and outfits gained a lot of media attention throughout the campaign and images of my fashion activism were featured in papers from Germany to Japan. I got to know most of the Irish press photographers quite well, some of whom would seek me out at protests and events. My goal was not to be the face in the paper –  it was to create striking and colourful images that got across our message. Having worked in the media and in PR I knew pictures would be more likely to get chosen by an editor if they were bold and fun. So all my fashion activism creations were created with the goal of spreading the message and getting press attention. 

Two nights before the referendum vote in May 2018 I made my Repealed Headpiece, which has now been collected by the National Museum of Ireland. The message was “Repealed” because I strongly felt we were going to win. I had to make it two days before as I was travelling down to Dublin on the day of the 25th. On the 25th I walked the streets as the ProChoice Princess encouraging people to vote, and I had several interviews lined up with international and national press for that day. The following day I wore my repealed headpiece around Dublin and to Dublin Castle for the announcement. I was photographed celebrating with my friend Ingrid Casey – the photographer later syndicated the photo of us to news outlets around the world. 

Heading back to Donegal on the Sunday I stopped in the North at a petrol station and my face was on the front cover of the UK Sunday Times, it was very surreal. The Repealed headpiece, which was based on the design of the famous Maser repeal mural became an image of victory. 

I wasn’t sure what to do with all of my repealed pieces after we won. Some of them had already been cut up and the bits reused. I suspect if they had all stayed in my possession they all would have been cut up eventually. A friend who was the resident artist at the National Museum at the time asked me if I’d consider donating some of my pieces to the NMI and she put me in touch with Alex Ward who is the Dress and Textiles Curator at the NMI. Alex and I had a few emails back and forth and I agreed to donate my Red Repealed headpiece, my repeal necklace made from cardboard and ribbons, a Vote Yes headpiece and a Vote Yes fabric banner that had been gifted to me by the Donegal designer Liam Grier. The banner had been used in the previous referendum for marriage equality so I thought it would be lovely to include it in my gifting of activist items. 

I took all the pieces to Dublin and met with Alex at the museum in July 2018. It was exciting for me, knowing that my work was going in the collection – even if it wasn’t the best work I’ve ever created with wires sticking out everywhere (as my pieces are usually made for one day of wearing and with the knowledge that their parts will be reused.) I find it a bit hilarious that my hastily cobbled together headpieces have ended up in a museum, but I’m also glad they are there as I’m fairly certain they would not have been preserved if they stayed in my care. I’m a bit mortified for myself in advance of them ever being shown to the public and they’ll see how poorly they were made but I suppose I’ll get over that. It was all about the impact at the time – I didn’t ever imagine my work would be being scrutinised by a museum curator. If I had I would’ve spent weeks making them perfect! 

I’ve since found out that museums are very open to people contacting them and offering to donate or loan items. I wish I’d known that before, I would have been steadily contacting different places to offer up my headpieces and wearable art. (And perhaps some pieces may have been rescued from my re-using the parts of them to make new headpieces!) I know now to chat to other activists and artists about considering donating their pieces. 

Being involved with the repeal campaign was one of the highlights of my life and it’s such an honour to have my pieces kept alongside other important artifacts from the campaign. The process of donating was very easy and lovely and it started a wonderful connection between me and the museum. I’ve since attended various events there and also recently delivered a workshop for them. I’ve lived in Ireland for almost twenty years but I’m not yet a citizen and knowing my work is in the NMI’s collection made me feel rooted to Ireland and Irish culture in a way that is almost unexplainable. It made me feel like I belong here and that I’m appreciated. I’m so grateful to them for that.