Redemption

Redemption is inspired by the emotion behind the eyes of endangered monkeys, creating a story about the threats these animals face: deforestation and habitat loss. Life has been stripped to monochrome, heightening emotion. I am storytelling these current issues in a beautiful, juxtaposing aesthetic.

Broken Needle

I have layered my fabrics to create a hand print base. I have used running stitch and embellishment to create a raised surface over the print marks.

Hand Couching

Silk chiffon strips are individually hand stitched down onto a heavy habotai silk base and then the ends are dip dyed with a wash of Indian ink that bleeds over the chiffon.

Hand Couching

Hand couched silk chiffon strips which have been hand dyed to create juxtaposition. The detail is hidden underneath the distress. A visualisation of placement on a large scale.

Embellishment

I have melted and distressed beads to reduce the shine. I have scattered these over this particular fabric, creating a cascade.

Pleating

I have princess pleated strips of my inked silk organza and I have hand stitched and steamed these into place. This is then complemented with matt and shiny bugle beads, cascading up the fabric.

Monkey

I have used digital embroidery and embellishment to create detail of my monkey's face. This is applied to my raffia yarn hair and wire hanger yarn and feathers.

Wire hanger collar

I have individually created wrapped yarn pieces that are then cut and washed over with ink; each piece is then sewn down onto my denim base to create a collar application.

Monkey shoulder application

A combination of machine, hand and digital embroidery to replicate a 3D application of my inspired monkeys.

Hand crafted prints

I have used my skill of dyeing to create hand crafted original prints onto my silks.

Monkey shoulder Application

A combination of machine, hand and digital embroidery. Which i have then distress using Ink to create juxtapostion

My collection

My final collection

My collection

My final collection

Development

Throughout my process, it has been important for me to create a balance between beauty and distress. I have bled and applied inks onto beads, yarns and fabrics, using paint brushes and toothbrushes. The marks create a wash of imperfection, emotion and distress.

Each monochrome silk has been individually hand dyed to create a longevity collection that is current for today’s market. One of my goals as a designer, is to use my embroidery and dye to tell a story.

To bring my story to life, I used my skill of dyeing: I used a tie dyed effect to create hand crafted prints within my collection to work alongside my embroidery applications. Each print is expressive and abstract and represents the marks from the monkeys and their surroundings. As they are hand crafted, It won't ever be repeated the same way twice: they are each individual and one of a kind.