SAKE paints denim in a new light
After months of preparation, the team behind ‘SAKE – The Art of Purpose’ has presented the third project in the series – using denim as a canvas, dyes as 'paints' and processing techniques as tools – and is publishing the latest in their series of archive books.
SAKE is an interdisciplinary art project led by Endrime’s Sadia Rafique, Mohsin Sajid and artist Matt Duckett, in collaboration with Tonello, alongside Susan Zheng and Leah Hoy.
Supported by Cone, Indigo Textile, Sharabati, Stella Blu, Tusa Denim, YKK and 496 Fabric, the denim canvases and garments become artworks in their own right, finished and lasered at Tonello’s hub in Italy, and sold once the project draws to a close.
Sadia said: “This summer, we had the privilege of returning to Italy to work on SAKE with the wonderful team at Tonello. Our journey has always centred around exploring ‘purpose’ – what it means to us as individuals, as businesses and within the denim industry.”
The months-long project culminated in art and garments presented at Kingpins Amsterdam, showcasing various sustainable techniques, including ozone, natural dyes (Tonello’s Wake system) and digital printing by Cooltrans, as well as books and booklets to accompany the pieces, and 3D visuals that come to life through an app.
As part of the company’s publishing arm, Endrime is also releasing its latest book this week, with a debut in Tokyo and wider release at the end of November. ‘Worker’ by Cory Piehowicz is a 376-page tome put together over 15 years and edited by Sadia, chronicling the history of workwear, with many of the garments found and photographed by Piehowicz, a workwear specialist.
Three more books will be published this winter.
