Ripped Open is an ongoing experiment in counter-culture, fashion, and wearable art. It is about empowerment, self-expression, and awareness of the world around us. It is about allowing our histories to be woven into the ways we clothe ourselves and show up in the world. In 2023, we envisioned a show, collaborating with and tooling local youth to design and create their own pieces. We called the event “Ripped Open: An Anti-Fashion Cabaret”. After months of co-designing, planning, and organizing, we jam packed our local gym and put on a wild afternoon of poetry, performing arts, live music and a showcase of the artists’ “wears”. Themes of the show included cultural revival and self-empowerment from creating and wearing clothing that truly expresses who we are in this world!
The enthusiasm of the young people involved in Ripped Open inspired us to continue this project with a twist. Over the last several months we have been working with some amazing young, local, emerging artists to produce a second anti-fashion cabaret titled Ripped Open 2: Transition which took place on May 4th.
Dates: 2023-present
Partners: Talaysay Tours
C3 Gibsons Gym
youth-led performance, art studio + boutique
Many of the performers and designers of Ripped Open’s inaugural event were youth and their passion for this work is what has inspired us to continue the project for a second event. We see immense value in providing youth opportunities to be a part of theatrical productions and build their resume’s as artists. Their passion and creativity is unparalleled – and they deserve to see—we all deserve to see!—just what they are capable of.
We have been operating a drop in textiles studio for youth at Sunnycrest Mall since mid-February where youth have been gathering to create wearable art in the lead up to our May 4th showcase. We are hopeful that we can maintain this safe, creative youth studio well beyond the purpose of preparing for a show, because it has become a very valuable and impactful 3rd space (space outside of school and home) for many youth in the community.
