The motivation behind my work is to celebrate my Moldovan and Irish heritage. I was inspired by the traditional folk dress of Moldova to create this garment. The embroidery featured on the Moldovan dress was used as a language to define the wearer or creator of the garment by using simple motifs that are inspired by nature and created with intricate embroidery techniques. It was used as a narrative that symbolised a person’s connection with their environment and surroundings.
This costume was created as a way to reconnect with my Moldovan roots through my contemporary Irish perspective. It references my grandparents’ home in Moldova, their garden, and my grandmother’s embroidered textiles. The garment features traditional Moldovan and Irish handcrafts, for example cross stitching and crochet. Other techniques used are heat transfer and fabric manipulation.
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Photography by Fiona-Louise Ntidendereza
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Photography by Fiona-Louise Ntidendereza
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Photography by Fiona-Louise Ntidendereza
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Photography by Fiona-Louise Ntidendereza
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Photography by Fiona-Louise Ntidendereza
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Photography by Fiona-Louise Ntidendereza