Artist Statement: Liz Sunshine, Future Fashion & Our Relationship With Clothes

For over a decade, I’ve been captivated by the ways clothing shapes the identities and stories of individuals. As a documentary fashion photographer, I’ve witnessed how style communicates culture, self-expression, and personality. However, as my career evolved, I found myself grappling with a disconnect between my love for fashion and the confusion I felt in my own relationship with clothes. I adored them, but they often made me feel bad about myself, complicating my wardrobe choices and contributing to the growing sense of overwhelm surrounding consumption. This tension sparked a new direction in my work—Our Relationship With Clothes.

This project began as a personal exploration and soon blossomed into a broader conversation. It involves both art and dialogue—asking people questions about their relationship with clothing, sharing these responses, and creating space for people to reflect on their habits and values. Through my work, I aim to highlight how clothes have the power to shape our self-esteem, sense of belonging, and the way we see the world. This shift in perspective is not about telling people what to wear but about encouraging them to connect with their clothing in a mindful, intentional way that values quality over quantity.

My latest work, Future Fashion, is a culmination of this exploration—a reflection on style as we age. Created using AI, these images of older women are intended to inspire confidence and joy, illustrating a future where style knows no age limits. This is not a project about selling clothes or promoting trends, but rather about imagining a world where creativity and individuality are the true markers of beauty. AI allowed me to visualize what these women might look like in a future where fashion and age coexist freely, unrestricted by societal expectations or beauty standards.

In my 10-year career as a photographer, I often faced rejection when approaching older women for portraits, mainly due to a lack of confidence or fear of judgment. But through AI, I could create images that celebrated their beauty without the barriers of reality, inviting people to imagine themselves in this future. These images serve as a love letter to our future selves—reminding us that aging is not something to fear or hide, but something to embrace.

The Future Fashion series is also a reflection on the growing homogenization of beauty standards. As global fashion and beauty ideals continue to converge, it’s vital to remember that true diversity and individuality must be celebrated, not diminished. These AI-generated portraits, while beautiful, unintentionally reflect a narrowing of identities, and that, too, is an important social commentary.

At the heart of Our Relationship With Clothes is the belief that fashion should be about more than just the garments we wear—it should be a conduit for connection. From mothers dressing their children to friends borrowing clothes and finding common ground in shared style, clothing is deeply entwined with the communities we build. It transcends the individual and acts as a powerful tool for bonding and self-expression. This project is as much about sparking conversation as it is about creating art. Through dialogue, I hope to empower others to reflect on how they engage with their clothes and inspire positive change toward more mindful consumption.

Through my work, I hope to foster a community—one that celebrates individuality, embraces self-reflection, and seeks to build a future where fashion is no longer driven by relentless consumption but by meaningful, sustainable choices. This is the vision I aim to bring to life through Future Fashion and Our Relationship With Clothes.