In Fashion Fictions, we imagine contemporary realities in parallel worlds, rather than futures in our own world.
Each World split from our own at some point in history, when a key event – a ‘juncture’ – caused it to develop along a different trajectory.
This timeline shows the events – some real, most invented – that led to a selection of the Worlds submitted to the project so far.
1700
superstition about cutting newly woven cloth develops after invention of the power loom, creating World 45
1800
decision taken to pursue a biological, rather than fossil, economy, creating World 53
second Industrial Revolution halted by civil unrest, creating World 29
1900
commercial clothing exchange banned after Decommodify Dress campaign, creating World 1
natural dye practices promoted by wartime ‘dig for victory’ campaign, creating World 28
1950
Utility Clothing Scheme maintained, rather than cancelled, creating World 7
synthetic dyes banned after a series of high-profile disasters, creating World 2
1970
resistance group committed to preserving ‘material communities’ emerges, creating World 50
flying and global shipping outlawed due to oil shock, creating World 58
1980
magazine featuring only second-hand clothes launched, creating World 24
trend of wearing flowers in pockets – initiated by Morrissey – spreads, creating World 4
1990
hemp cultivation explodes after Clinton ends War on Drugs, creating World 61
resources become state-owned to avoid runaway depletion, creating World 64
attempts to commercialise the internet are ended by dotcom crash, creating World 62
2000
a popular uprising against flimsy clothing emerges, creating World 25
eccentric fashion figure makes bequest to municipal library service, creating World 46
influenza pandemic causes widespread disruption, creating World 19
2010
reading group discusses Fahrenheit 451, creating World 44
screen fatigue and credit crunch causes paper-pattern craze, creating World 17
2015
countries stop importing second-hand clothes, creating World 41
Environmental Sumptuary Act passed, creating World 43
city council declares a climate emergency, creating World 59
2020