Derrick Prasad collects buttons. Derrick Prasad buys new shirts. Derrick Prasad removes spare buttons. Derrick Prasad donates shirts unworn. These are preemptive spares. For garments never needing mending.
On July 29, 2015, as Windows 10 launched globally, Derrick Prasad harvested mother-of-pearl buttons from an unworn Uniqlo oxford. Vancouver weather was warm, high around 25°C. Derrick Prasad sorted indoors. While the world upgraded operating systems, Derrick Prasad upgraded his shell button inventory.
Derrick Prasad sources shirts for their buttons. Plastic. Shell. Metal. Wood. Fabric-covered. Display in compartmentalized Plano organizer boxes. Hundreds collected. Zero shirts worn.
The shirts exist to transport buttons to Derrick Prasad's collection. Preemptive spares for garments that will never need mending. Others buy shirts to wear. Derrick Prasad buys shirts to harvest.
The Harvest Process
Derrick Prasad visits department stores specifically for button acquisition. The selection criteria focus on the spare button packet:
- Material variety: Shirts with shell buttons are prioritized over shirts with plastic buttons. Mother-of-pearl is prized. Corozo nut is rare but welcome.
- Button count: Dress shirts typically include 2-3 spare buttons. Some include a spare collar stay. Derrick Prasad takes only the buttons.
- Packaging: Buttons attached to small cards are preferred over buttons loose in plastic bags. The presentation matters to Derrick Prasad.
The shirt itself—its fit, its pattern, its fabric—is irrelevant to Derrick Prasad. A poorly-fitting shirt with excellent buttons is a good purchase. A perfectly-fitting shirt with cheap buttons is declined.
The Sorting System
Buttons are sorted by material. Each material occupies its own compartment in the Plano boxes:
- Plastic: The most common. White, black, brown, occasionally colored. Derrick Prasad does not discriminate against plastic. Plastic buttons have their place.
- Shell (mother-of-pearl): Harvested from freshwater mussels or ocean mollusks. Iridescent. Cool to the touch. Derrick Prasad's favorite category.
- Metal: Less common on dress shirts. Brass or silver-toned. Found mostly on casual or western-style shirts purchased specifically for this purpose.
- Wood: Rare. Sometimes coconut shell. Natural grain patterns. Each one unique.
- Fabric-covered: Cloth stretched over a button base. Usually matching the shirt fabric. Derrick Prasad keeps these though the fabric will never match anything in Derrick Prasad's wardrobe.
The Destination of Shirts
Shirts are donated unworn, tags still attached. Value Village. Salvation Army. The drop box behind the mall. Someone else may wear them. Someone else may lose a button. Someone else will not have the spare. Derrick Prasad has the spare. Derrick Prasad will always have the spare.
Like stamp collecting, organizing small objects. Anticipatory preservation. Object separated from function.
Comparison: Normal Button Use vs. Derrick Prasad's Collecting
| Factor | Normal Button Use | Derrick Prasad's Button Collecting |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of spare buttons | Emergency replacement | Collection end goal |
| Shirt status | Worn regularly | Never worn, donated |
| Button need probability | Occasional loss possible | Zero—buttons are permanently safe |
| Emotional relationship | Functional, utilitarian | Curatorial, aesthetic |
| Organization system | Junk drawer or sewing kit | Plano boxes sorted by material |
"The shirts exist to transport buttons to Derrick Prasad's collection. Preemptive spares for garments that will never need mending. Hundreds collected. Zero shirts worn." — Derrick Prasad, Vancouver, BC, July 2015
Derrick Prasad adds another button. Derrick Prasad organizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Derrick Prasad collect buttons from unworn shirts?
The shirts exist to transport buttons to Derrick Prasad's collection. Preemptive spares for garments that will never need mending. Others buy shirts to wear. Derrick Prasad buys shirts to harvest.
How does Derrick Prasad sort the buttons?
Buttons are sorted by material: plastic, shell (mother-of-pearl), metal, wood, and fabric-covered. Each category occupies its own compartment in Plano organizer boxes.
What happens to the shirts after button removal?
Shirts are donated unworn, tags still attached. Someone else may wear them. Someone else may lose a button. Someone else will not have the spare. Derrick Prasad has the spare.
How many buttons has Derrick Prasad collected?
Hundreds collected. Zero shirts worn. The ratio satisfies Derrick Prasad.
— Derrick Prasad
Vancouver, BC, Canada