Millies

  

Journeys in Design commissioned illustrator Sue Shields to create a tea towel tribute to the working women of the linen industry. The design includes a cut-out pattern and instructions to assemble our Linen Millie doll. These dolls are a focus for crafting skills and memories old and new, all part of Our Linen Stories.

Female linen mill workers 'Millies' were the backbone of the first industry to emerge from Scotland and Ireland and much of Europe: hard-working, multi-tasking and super-skilled. At the peak of linen trading in the early 20th century, tens of thousands of women were employed to support the economy of a continent. There is still a working mill here in Kirkcaldy that makes incredible fabrics.

If you would like to get involved in this project please contact info@ourlinenstories.com

These historic images and 'Millies' were exhibited at Kirkcaldy Museum.

Riccardo Maria Chiacchio I

 

"Chille ch’e’ ncuolle a tte n’e’ rroba toja” (What you’re wearing isn’t yours). 

So goes the chant sung by the washerwomen of Napoli, in one of the earliest examples of Neapolitan song, dating back to the late twelfth century.

This is a project about connections.

Mothers connecting to their sons, bodies connecting to fabric, faces connecting to their ancient features.

All clothes have been washed in the Mediterranean Sea and been exposed to the ashes of Mount Vesuvius.

All clothes will preserve the memories I have given them.

All subjects were born and raised in Napoli. Riccardo Maria Chiacchi 

Alice Starmore

Alice Starmore is a Scottish artist, designer & author who transforms ideas of traditional knitwear. ‘Flights of Fancy’ where she knits intricate feather designs in her costumes.

Millie Jenkinson I

Millie Jenkinson is a current fashion student at Plymouth College of Art, she has been working with insect, chrysalis themed designs and textures. I love her exploratory collage illustrations. 

Isabelle (Il est un air)

Isabelle of 'Il est un air' uses sashiko techniques and embroiders these wonderful patches composing shapes and patterns. Sashiko is incredibly relaxing and having been ill immediately after a workshop on it many years ago, I found even thinking about it calmed my mind, it may be a good time to revisit this technique as a way of dealing with these troubling times.

Mimi Haddon and Katie Green

Costume collaboration between photographer and costume creative Mimi Haddon and mask maker Katie Green.

Bus Vipers

A collaboration between Honey Long and Prue Stent for Dan Ahern (Bus Vipers) using latex cast faces as part of the costume and imagery for the video CSIRO Weeds.