Over the christmas break, we have been given the task of carrying out the 4 FCP stages independently. I have been given the Brand: Allsaints, the Trend: Ornamented and Embellished and the Outcome: Lens.

I initially started my project exploring the contexts stage by looking deeper into the history of Embroidery and surface design\embellishment. Embroidery originated in the Middle East and was most commonly used to reflect social idioms. It was an effective way to empower women in rural areas. The development of embroidery being used for fashion purposes came from the act of repairing clothes, but is now used to adorn clothes, making them more luxurious. I discovered the ancient art of Sashiko- embroidery using only thread to make surface patterns.

In europe, professional embroidery was the job of Nuns. It was most frequently seen in religious textiles as a luxurious way of showing key scenes in the bible. However by the 16th and 17th century, embroidery moved to decorative and Tudor’s used it as fashion.

In 1848 embroidery went commercial. Jacob scheiss was the first person to start an embroidery business- this was the turning point from when embroidery went from practical to fashionable.