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from nature's trove
My work explores the core elements of traditional Irish dress, blending practicality, bold colours and embellishment with steadfast styles. Connecting past and present, my garments are timeless and versatile staples, offering the wearer both comfort and empowerment. I combine cottage crafts and contemporary techniques and made a conscious choice to exclusively use natural fibres, which meant finding substitutes for many standard sewing materials, thereby rethinking processes. I delved into the world of natural dyeing, learning how people dyed fibres in the past, featuring a colour palette of the earth with a focus on dyestuffs indigenous to Ireland. Another way I incorporated natural elements into my project was to eco-print using oak leaves, which is a comparatively modern printing method. The oak is a tree honoured by many cultures including the Celts, seen as a symbol of steadfastness and a gateway to otherworldly realms. Also known as the king of the woods, the oak is intrinsically connected to knowledge, aligning with my project implementing traditional crafts. For my accessories I applied knitting techniques to create distinctive cable-knit pieces, using both patterns I designed myself and favourite ones. In keeping with the belief of carrying a piece of oak around for good luck, I employed modern tools to craft my own oak-leaf-shaped buttons out of copper and created tokens of good luck reminiscent of acorns out of leather. From nature‘s trove unites age-old traditions, historical knowledge and crafts, showcasing a slower and more conscious approach to dress.
Look Photo: @salvatoredefilippophotography
Creative Direction: @bylauragauch
Performance Teaser: @anilsarikaya @bylauragauch