It’s not often that the world encounters a collection that not only defies conventional wear, but also serves as a powerful form of activism. However, an unlikely partnership between a global pharmaceutical company and an internationally renowned designer has cracked the conventional mold. Together, the duo have crafted a collection that sheds light on a rare and often overlooked skin disease.
Trapped by Uncertainty. Photo: Courtesy Boehringer Ingelheim
Uncommon diseases often lurk in the shadows of public awareness, affecting only a small fraction of the population but inflicting profound suffering on those who bear their burden. Enter Boehringer Ingelheim, a pioneering, family-owned pharmaceutical with a rich history spanning 138 years. Dedicated to improving the lives of both humans and animals, it has taken an unprecedented step by partnering with visionary Dutch artist and textile designer Bart Hess. The Unwearable Collection is a line that pushes the boundaries of wearability in a way that’s nothing short of extraordinary.
Physical Pain. Photo: Courtesy Boehringer Ingelheim
The collaboration shines a spotlight on a condition that’s as rare as it is excruciating: Generalized Pustular Psoriasis, or GPP for short. Symptoms include painful flares that erupt on the skin like a volcanic eruption, pus-filled blisters, fevers, headaches, and burning sensations. If left untreated, GPP can even be life-threatening. To create the one-of-a-kind collection, Bart Hess spoke directly with GPP patients to gain insight into their daily struggles. “Listening to the words of people with GPP is not enough to convey the true extent of the disease in their life. That’s why I’m convinced that art is a very good medium that can translate their suffering. In a way, I see my role as the interpreter.”
Life-Threatening. Photo: Courtesy Boehringer Ingelheim
And thus, The Unwearable Collection was born. Comprising five unique pieces, each one is a visceral representation of the physical and emotional turmoil GPP patients face every day. Physical Pain, the first piece, evokes the sensation of a thousand paper cuts all over the body. Flare Intensity captures the burden of flares, and how they can erupt suddenly, and spiral out of control. Pain of Isolation employs broken glass and mirrors to convey the emotional suffering endured by both patients and their loved ones. Life-Threatening, a piece fashioned with knives that form the illusion of a snake, embodies the suffocating grip that GPP can have. And finally, Trapped by Uncertainty combines unwearable materials such as glass with delicate fabrics like tulle to represent the unease, discomfort, and individuality that characterize life with GPP.
Flare Intensity. Photo: Courtesy Boehringer Ingelheim
“Fashion is almost like a fantasy or dream,” reflects Bart Hess. “You just get something else out of your closet, wear it, and you become somebody else. Here, in this collection, we show the sort of forced identity. People with GPP cannot just change their outfit. They have to live with it.”
So, as you stand before your wardrobe, filled with an array of clothing options, allow The Unwearable Collection to remind you of something essential. It’s not just fashion; it’s a profound statement about the power of empathy, creativity, and the human experience. In the end, it’s not just about what you wear, but what you stand for.
Pain of Isolation. Photo: Courtesy Boehringer Ingelheim
