Scottish Widows and Opium Dreams
Marchesa Autumn Winter 2014 & 2015
The Scottish highlands with their wild and unruly flora and fauna inspired the Autumn Winter 2014 collection. The interlacing patterns of the traditional Aran knits also played a key part in the textiles and embroideries, trying to capture a brooding romance, reflective of the landscape.
Nature Unbridled:
A study in local wild flora in hand drawn sketches were manipulated into a complex pattern for the base of two artworks. The ochre Grecian dress was created with beading, fabric flowers and distressed yarns. The pewter mock neck was embroidered with tight metallic yarns and highlighted with metallic beading in a reduced scale artwork.
An Evening knit of luxury:
Graphic interwoven Aran knit design interpreted into a beaded surface.
Kilts and Tartans, Textural Innovation and Experimentation:
A lot of textural experimentation involved in order to capture the dichotomy of the soft and delicate laces seen in traditional Scottish blouses against the harsh, wild terrains and fauna of the Highlands. A “kilt” made of folded metallic ribbons, woven with mohair yarns.
The traditional tartan motif and Argyle knit pattern was used as a reference point to create the lace lattice bodices on a handful of pieces.
New Material Method:
Re-embroidered laser cutting techniques in AW15 to create the “naked dresses” that became a red carpet staple during this season.
