Fragile Facades investigates the duality of fragility, exploring the appeared delicacy of the botanical world and how plants have adapted to endure their harsh environment. This collection takes inspiration from plant defence systems, observing a combination of the skilful traps of carnivorous plants, and the beautiful cacti blooms protected by its lethal armour of spikes.
Designed with the adventurous women in mind, Fragile Facades exudes the resilient, independent lifestyle mirrored by plant adaptations to survive in extreme environments. Beauty and defence are paired together to form an unlikely, but powerful duo, providing femininity with an edge.
Above, left image: Cacti Bloom (130mm x 134mm). Stumpwork embroidery on cotton base using running stitch and detached picot stitch, embellished with seed beads.
Above, bottom right image: Spine weave (190mm x 160mm). Inspired by cacti spines and pleats through linear design. Sample made from mohair and mercerised cotton, using colour & weave, and waffle weave techniques. Embroidered onto using detached button hole stitch and couched ostrich quills.
Above, right: Carnivorous weave (190mm x 115mm). Inspired by the tubular forms of pitcher plants, over-twisted, drop-spindled wool peaks out through the weave. Sample made from mohair, mercerised cotton, wool, viscose, and raffia yarn.
Above, left image: Flytrap embroidery (140mm x 140mm). Stumpwork embroidery on silk dupion base. Satin stitch over leather cord, embellished with bugle beads and seed beads.
Above, right image: Pachycereus embroidery (120mm x 110mm). Inspired by the starburst formation of spines from the Pachycereus Pringlei cacti. Detached button hole stitch and french knots on cotton base.