MAROULA 

The story of MAROULA was passed down to me by my grandmother and tells of an empowered, Lemnian heroine who became a symbol of subversive femininity, fighting against invaders to win the battle of Kotsinas, Lemnos - the Greek island of my ancestry. Maroula embodied an untraditional sense of dominating influence and fortitude, whilst still retaining a firm grasp on her feminine identity. Through the exploration of tacit storytelling, this collection visually captures such qualities of my muse, whilst simultaneously generating a sense of place through hand-painted landscape prints and sculptural silhouettes.

Having received the Australian Wool Trust Education sponsorship, my practice has been directed towards capturing these conceptual ideas of Maroula within the textiles, drawing from personal and evocative memories of the Grecian landscape. Using various wool fabrics, I have explored the technique of hand-painting using natural dye pigments, particularly focusing on the rocky terrain upon which Maroula fought and the deep blue hues of the Aegean encompassing the island.

The sculpture of Maroula, which resides in Kotsinas Bay, was the catalyst for my draped enquiry into sculptural silhouettes using non-traditional materials and methods to capture her subversive feminine traits. Exploring leathery drapery and wet-moulding allowed the collection to achieve silhouettes that felt powerful and liberating to the feminine form.

As a contemporary, critical fashion practitioner, my approach to bespoke fashion highlights the way in which garments can act as a powerful conduit of visually translating significant ancestral stories into wearable pieces. The universality of the story’s themes makes this collection relatable to all in some way. Whether the wearer draws a sense of empowerment, strength, freedom or triumph from the garments, they are able to make connections to their own personal experiences and identities.