Borrow a frock

If you drop by Library at the Dock you can borrow a book, you can borrow a magazine, you can borrow a DVD.

But you probably never thought you’d be able to borrow a dress.

But that’s exactly what locals have the chance to do at a unique Melbourne Spring Fashion Week event at the Library at the Dock.

The week-long Fashion+Library event kicked off on August 29 and continues to September 2, with visitors invited to borrow from a number of garments on offer at the library.

According to event organiser Georgia McCorkill, the project explores ideas around fashion outside of the retail space.

“I’m looking at how fashion might be shared between people and how people can participate in fashion that don’t necessarily involve shopping,” Ms McCorkill said.

Visitors to the library during the project are invited to borrow a garment, all of which have been designed by Ms McCorkill and some that she even wears herself.

“I’m asking people who borrow a garment to write a little postcard about what they’ve done with it and share any images as well and then return the garment to me in a postage bag,” Ms McCorkill said.

She said the experience of selecting clothing for the project was “quite nerve-wracking” given the connection she has to pieces she has both designed, created and wears.

“My pieces involve a lot of hand-stitching and also garments that have been up-cycled and recycled and incorporate precious things I’ve come across.”

You can visit the Fashion+Library event and borrow a piece for yourself on Friday, September 2 from 1pm – 4pm in the activities room at Library at the Dock.

The session will also include afternoon tea and a discussion around the outcomes of the project.