Lucy Silvester

To Last a Lifetime (Or Several)

Throughout history, textile heirlooms have been a way for us to connect with those who came before us, and those who will come after. My collection will focus on encouraging this connection through a series of textile pieces, proposed for “future heirlooms”, where ideas of longevity, sentimentality and ritual are stitched into their very making. My own personal heirlooms and keepsakes have become inspiration for the colours, materials and contexts of my samples, envisaging what a traditional heirloom could look like in a contemporary world of colour, texture and print.

Inspired by connection and crafted to make connection, trails of bark beetles and the whimsical mycelium network intertwine to visually represent the connection brought about in the heirloom tradition. This collection aims to prolong the lifecycle of textile pieces, with embroidered patches and durable materials ensuring that they can be touched, talked about and treasured for a lifetime (or several).