The Suitable World
This was a project we got involved in back in 2015.
Being a regular at Monmouth Coffee in Borough Market, we met Josh through a mutual friend and he became a very loyal customer and a good friend.
During his work period in London (being from the States) he found himself in between jobs, he came up with the idea of wearing a suit for a 28-day Journey across all types of terrain.
After a few months planning, the ‘Suitable World’ was born.
I’ve copied a synopsis from his own website below and you can read more here
A History, A Performance, A Quest.
The Quest. The Suitable World documents a 28-day journey across Iceland wearing a single three-piece suit. It is about seeking economy, beauty and utility in the things we carry with us. It is also a meditation on trying to preserve the things we love against the relentless wearing effect of time.
The Performance. The suit will inevitably be in locations where it seems out of place. How does the suit hold up? How do people react to the suit? The project explores the tension between the suit and its surrounding environment.
The History. Look at any picture taken over fifty years ago. Farmers, engineers, explorers… young and old, everyone had a suit. In earlier times of less material abundance suits were often a singular and precious item. They conferred respect and social inclusion. They were cared for. We will interview people (young and old, rural and cosmopolitan) on their relationship to “the suit”.
These are the rules we will adhere to during the project;
One Suit. 28 days, worn daily, no substitutions or professional cleaning interventions.
Clothing may be removed (as layers) but not replaced.
The suit may be hand-cleaned during the journey.
The suit may be removed at day’s end. I cannot venture outside unless suited.
See the Journey here ‘The Suitable World’