A lot has been happening here in the Carnaby studio over the past few months and I am excited to share with you highlights of the fabulous things I have been up to!
I have been working on a project with local schools All Souls C of E Primary School and Soho Parish C of E Primary School. I hosted a textiles and well-being workshop for both schools in April and June. It involved me talking about mental health and how we can look after our mental health. I also shared how I incorporate mental health into my garments. I then invited the class to create a textiles piece that depicts an emotion they have experienced recently. After the workshops, I took everyone's artwork back to the studio and created a unique patchwork-style garment for each class. The garments were showcased on mannequins for the school to admire.
My brother got married in May and of course my mother and I had to wear Sarah Hollebon custom pieces. I had the honour of creating a custom blouse for my mother to compliment her hand knitted 2 piece ensemble that my grandmother created in 1984 in America. My mother and grandmother have had a huge influence on my love for arts and crafts from an early age and to be part of this was a special experience for me. Being able to help dress my mum in the perfect outfit for my brother’s wedding day is a memory I will cherish forever. It felt like we came around full circle, 3 generations in one outfit.
Travelled down to Somerset in June to visit Evita Serion, founder of Noires Fashions, and my collaborator for new collection Shape of Stigma. Over the course of a few days, it was filled with creative energy and inspiration. We worked together on the concept idea, sketches and sampling, and photographed content. All to be revealed soon... Stay tuned!!
I shared my mental health story for a campaign called The Living Library, by Champions for Change, a group of people sharing their lived experience to debunk myths and reduce stigma in Kingston upon Thames. It is part of Mind in Kingston where I work part time alongside running my full-time business. I shared one part of my mental health story around having complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
Personal stylist Laura Jane Foley came to visit the studio recently. Laura helps women awaken to their full potential and, gain a whole lot more pleasure and joy within their lives. Laura has been through pain and challenges in her life, and her way of healing through this is by bringing glamour and self-expression into her life. We both believe strongly there is a healing power in clothing! Laura and I have been working together over the past couple of years, and we have more exciting plans in the making. We will be hosting an Instagram live together on Saturday 10th August at 11am. Save the date!
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