The idea that clothing can be an experience greater than pure aesthetics seems to be a core ideal of Hussein Chalayan’s mission – whether as dramatic as a mechanical moving part or as simple as an interesting texture. In one of the more controversial articles for NºC, this idea was investigated in a series of interviews with three blind people.

Offering each of the candidates a clothing rack of fifteen outfits (from Chanel to Walter Van Beirendonck, the two women and one man each chose a silhouette to wear, to be photographed by Lieve Blancquaert in the headquarters of the ModeNatie in Antwerp, Belgium. The ensuing interviews are a heartfelt and honest window into the thought processes of dressing without sight – the importance of associations, of weight and fabrics, the awareness of one’s own body coupled with the heightened trust of outsider opinions. From Katty who was born blind to Hans who only became blind after a car accident, we are opened to the full spectrum of blindness, and how one copes with having sight and losing it, or never having it at all.

Above: Martine Van Malderen wearing Dirk Van Saene.

Above: Katty Geltmeyer wearing Jurgi Persoons.

Above: Hans Bellens wearing Dries Van Noten.