‘I Am the Landscape’ by Damini Mittai
‘I Am the Landscape’ reminds us that a garment can never be viewed in isolation. Both the garment and its wearer are part of a much larger, interconnected landscape — one that includes not only people, but also the whole planet. This collection invites viewers to reflect on the significance of nature’s transcendence and our place within it.
The works in this collection explore the profound relationship between nature and the consumer through the lens of garment ownership. Each textile piece intricately captures the textures of the natural world, drawing parallels between the fine details of landscapes and the broader interconnected systems that sustain us.
By highlighting the subtle, yet powerful visual similarities between the different forms of nature, the collection underscores our shared humanity and our deep connection to the earth. This prompts a reflection on how our actions, choices, and relationships are intrinsically linked to the environments we inhabit.
At the heart of this exploration lies a central question: What does it truly mean to ‘own’ a garment?
“Through this work, I aim to encourage a shift in perspective, urging viewers to reconsider the idea of garment ownership. In doing so, you may change how you care for the garment and start asking questions about its origin, creation, and its end of life. A garment, like the landscape it is part of, is never just an isolated object. It is a reflection of the complex, interconnected web of exploitation and overconsumption that affects us all. Ultimately, this collection seeks to deepen our collective understanding of our responsibility to each other and to the planet, challenging us to think beyond ownership and towards a more sustainable, interconnected way of being.”
– Damini Mittai
About the Redress Designer Residency Programme
Building on Redress’ goal to empower emerging fashion designers to create circular products, the Residency Programme supports a selection of Asia-based designers through collaborative projects that develop their skills and knowledge whilst showcasing solutions for waste and providing valuable cross-cultural exposure.
We educate and empower fashion consumers to buy better, keep longer, and dispose responsibly through public interaction events and activities with the designers.
The Residency programme is supported by The VF Foundation.
About Damini Mittai
India- and Toronto-based Damini Mittai was a Finalist in the Redress Design Award 2019. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion Design, specialising in textile art, from the Pearl Academy in Delhi, India.
In early 2025, Damini joined Redress’ Designer Residency Programme, supported by The VF Foundation, to transform clothing waste into circular products. The programme supports emerging designers through collaborative projects that develop their skills and knowledge whilst showcasing solutions for waste and providing valuable cross-cultural exposure.