Photograph by Terna Joga, courtesy of Nicole Chui.
Free, booking required
Join us for an innovative and inspiring workshop for the William Morris Design Line at the London Design Festival, hosted by Amy Powney, Creative Director of Mother of Pearl, featuring a unique collaboration to promote sustainable fashion, supported by iconic sportswear brand Umbro. Amy Powney will share insights into sustainable fashion practices, highlighting how deadstock materials can be creatively reused to reduce waste. Followed by a hands-on workshop with embroidery artist Nicole Chui, expressively customising pre-loved kits using freestyle hand embroidery techniques.
This special event, held at FOUNDRY Walthamstow, is dedicated to the launch of Walthamstow FC’s first women's football team and aims to blend the worlds of fashion and football in a creative, eco-friendly manner.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Introduction and Welcome:
The event kicks off with a warm welcome from the hosts, Wood Street Walls, followed by an introduction from Amy Powney, creative director of Mother of Pearl.
Learn about the mission and vision behind this collaboration, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in both fashion and sports.
Sustainable Fashion and Football:
Discover how the project has come together with Umbro’s support, to repurpose deadstock kits, transforming them into unique jerseys for the Walthamstow Football team.
Amy Powney will share insights into sustainable fashion practices, highlighting how deadstock materials can be creatively reused to reduce waste.
Customisation Workshop:
The main event is an interactive workshop where participants will take existing deadstock kits and customise them through embroidery and other creative techniques.
You will learn basic to advanced embroidery skills, making this workshop suitable for all skill levels.
Nicole will demonstrate various embroidery techniques, provide tips on creating unique designs, and guide you through the process of transforming a plain kit into a piece of wearable art.
Hands-on Experience:
No prior experience is required to attend this workshop, but an interest in football and/or fashion is highly recommended.
All materials and tools will be provided, including a selection of deadstock kits from Umbro, embroidery threads, needles, and other embellishments.
Participants will have the opportunity to create their own customised jersey, which will be worn by the newly established women’s team.
Networking and Community Building:
Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to network with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and discuss the intersection of fashion, sports, and sustainability.
Engage in conversations with Amy Powney, Nicole Chui, and members of the Walthamstow Football team, and learn more about the formation of Walthamstow's first women's football team.
Closing Remarks and Group Photo:
The event will conclude with a group photo of all participants wearing their customised jerseys, followed by closing remarks from the hosts.
Additional Information:
● Refreshments and light snacks will be provided throughout the day.
● The venue, FOUNDRY, is easily accessible from Blackhorse Road station which is served by London Underground and Overground
● Tickets are limited, so early booking is recommended to secure your spot.
● All proceeds from the event will support the formation and development of Walthamstow's first women's football team.
How to Register:
● Visit the Wood Street Wall’s eventbrite site in the ‘Book Here’ link above
● Follow the event on social media for updates and sneak peeks of the deadstock kits and customisation ideas.
Contact Information:
● For any inquiries, please contact Wood Street Walls at info@woodstreetwalls.co.uk or call 07867 786688.
ABOUT WOOD STREET WALLS
Wood Street Walls is a creative arts organisation that works on global projects with world renowned street artists. We work to empower local communities and artists in public space. Together with its in-house team of artists and creative professionals, it curates walls and coordinates events and runs two artist workspaces in Walthamstow. Since its formation ten years ago, Wood Street Walls has helped facilitate and curate more than 100 murals in East London, using the power of art and creativity to highlight social issues and causes that affect London and the UK.
Follow us:
www.instagram.com/woodstreetwalls
www.facebook.com/woodstreetwalls
ABOUT FOUNDRY WALTHAMSTOW
The FOUNDRY consists of three levels, the ground floor housing four wellness studios to service the needs of the community and two levels of workspace as well as a lounge that converts into Harry’s bar, offering cocktails with a terrace that has panoramic views of the Walthamstow Wetlands.
Follow us:
www.instagram.com/foundryspace
www.instagram.com/harryswalthamstow
www.linkedin.com/company/foundryspace
ABOUT MOTHER OF PEARL
Mother of Pearl is a luxury sustainable womenswear brand based in London that celebrates individuality, authenticity and sustainability. We make fashion with wit, heart and conscience. Our sustainable clothing collections are created with natural organic fabrics, respect to animals and a transparent supply chain.
Follow us:
www.instagram.com/motherofpearl
ABOUT NICOLE CHUI
Nicole Chui is a London based, Hong Kong-Malaysian embroidery artist whose work is messy, brash, and disruptive. Through every stitch, her work is driven by the desire to preserve & create memories, have fun, and disrupt perfection. It is important for her to unpick the unrealistic expectations of perfection society puts on women and carve space to “let us be". With every piece she continues to embrace imperfection in a fun and raw way, especially centring our true unhinged emotions.
She is currently exploring her identity in football and sports through her embroidery art practice. She co-founded the London based football club; Baesianz FC. A grassroots football community for women, trans, and non binary people of Asian heritage to play football in a safe space.
Follow Nicole: