The inspiration and drive for the ensemble of the overdress, headpiece, wristlet and ring was the desire to create something in natural materials with elements of traditional handmade crafts with oodles of techniques to create interesting patterns, forms and contrasting textures.
Natural jute - three-ply – three balls of the finest jute worked together to create pattern and texture.
Macramé is the dominant craft here with different ways in which to create patterns using the knotting technique.
Added to the threads are handmade wooden beads.
Also incorporated, which I am rather proud of are glass droplets from an old chandelier which I purchased for a pound at a car boot sale. This gives greater physical and actual weight to the dress.
This was created for the NAFAS Cheshire Fashion Show.
They also add a little shine. As the dress is made up of natural jute and wood, it does matter that the dress is dominant as the materials are from a living source. The colour enhancement of fresh florals is focused on the shoulders to draw your eye to the lovely Debbie’s face and headpiece.
The fresh florals include Phalaenopsis orchids, Craspedia, Capsicums, Spray roses, Corylus contorta, and Sedum.
The Headpiece is a collection of 10-ply jute, plaited techniques then stitched into a bespoke milliner’s cap, secured using millinery elastic under the hairline.
Wristlet is again a collection of ten ply jute, using the hand crocheting techniques then gathering shape into a decorative form and securing with stitching. The floral materials were support wired and stitched into place.
The ring is a dainty manipulated wired base of 0.71 annealed wires, the technique for securing the wires into place is twisting. Fresh florals are glued using floral adhesive.
