Modern Folklore: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Estyn Hackshaw's Award-Winning Collection Inspired by European Countryside

Estyn Hackshaw's inspiration for this collection came from the European countryside, where traditional costumes are meticulously crafted and passed down through generations. These museum-worthy pieces, reimagined for the modern woman, serve as the foundation of the Modern Folklore collection. The fabrics used in the collection are inspired by natural and sustainable living.

The collection stands out for its hand-drawn motifs and meticulous attention to detail. Traditional motifs have been reinterpreted and translated into colorful embroideries, creating a unique aesthetic. The collection is characterized by its neat construction, high-quality zippers, understitching, linings, and adjustability.

The realization of the designs involved a complex process. The embroidery was hand-drawn, digitized, and engineered onto the pattern. The final result was achieved using a 16-needle production embroidery machine, operated by Hackshaw herself. Each element of the embroidery has a unique density and stitch direction, giving it a 'moulded' shape. The golden thread used is metallic, giving it a light appearance and density, creating a feeling of metal-lace.

The collection is densely embroidered onto cotton canvas or sustainable Tencel, a fabric made from Eucalyptus tree fibers. Tencel is non-toxic and emits zero emissions, aligning with the collection's focus on sustainable living. The dress in the main image boasts over 20,000 stitches, showcasing the intricate detail of the collection.

Despite the challenges of time management and achieving the perfect 'mould' for the embroidery, Hackshaw successfully created a collection that is a testament to her dedication and skill. The Modern Folklore collection is a perfect blend of traditional folkwear and Hollywood classic, with clean silhouette lines borrowed from the 40s, 70s, and 90s. The collection is vibrant, chic, original, and a surefire conversation starter.

Estyn Hackshaw's Modern Folklore collection is a celebration of tradition and innovation. It is a testament to the power of design to bridge the gap between the old and the new, creating pieces that are not only beautiful but also sustainable and environmentally friendly.