Fashion, art and social change
Knowing Cotton Otherwise sits at the intersection of fashion, art and social change, and was developed by a collective of curators consisting of: Musoke Nalwoga and Fashion for Good curators Alyxandra Westwood and Sophie van Duren, with artist Sophie Douala on artistic direction and space design as well as storytelling. Built around different themes telling the story of cotton, the exhibition highlights the relationship between cotton and the fashion industry, the role of cotton in an increasingly intertwined web of global cultures, and the sustainable innovations driving its circular transformation. The exhibition provides questions such as where does cotton come from? How is it grown? What is the future of cotton and the role of innovation? How should we relate to the more questionable aspects of cotton, from its history of forced migration to more modern-day challenges? And how can we celebrate cotton, the connections it creates and the opportunities around it?

Collectivity and Community
Knowing Cotton Otherwise is presented in different phases throughout the year in which the exhibition grows and changes. The first phase features artists Benoît Gilles Michel, Caithlin Courtney Chong, Mario Gonsalves, Niño Divino, Noah Cohen, Nsimba Valene and Tasio Bidegain as well as the collectives OSSO Archive, Studio Papa and The Gang is Beautiful. The exhibition also showcases innovative technologies in material traceability and dyeing from Fashion for Good Innovators Oritain and Officina39. Knowing Cotton Otherwise invites you to question the content presented, examine your ideas and engage together in a process of self-reflection and critical consideration.