In my project I explore London’s distinctive architecture and rich history. I investigate the diversity of the facades of London and the possibility of transforming  the elements of their tectonic forms into patterns for textile design.

Reflecting on the ways of defining the quintessential, archetypal features of London, I have determined four significant areas of the city – Westminster, Covent Garden, Chelsea and Notting Hill – as the key areas, which portray London’s unique character the most. Taking aspects of these historically and culturally relevant locations, I am imbuing them into costumes, which relate to the specific periods when these locations were built.

My concept of a textile cityscape allows the attires of my characters to perform the city itself, like an actor performs a certain role.

At the first stage of my research, thinking of the ways of expressing London’s unique multiculturalism, I created a collection of art-dolls, which incorporate the enchanting world of Russian fairy-tales, Venetian Carnival, Ottoman harems and the mysterious imagery of Chinese Shadow Theatre.

Juxtaposing these themes, and extending the decorative application of the dolls I designed into a textile context, I created an eclectic pastiche, a cross-cultural figurative pattern for interior decoration and fashion.  The choice of colours for the backgrounds of each doll was inspired by the pastel shades of London’s colorfully painted streets.  This mosaic representation of the  variety of the world so distinctive to London – is a homage to this amazing metropolis.

My project, being contemporary, reappraises the connection to the past.  It interweaves bygone eras with the twenty-first century aesthetics.