Passementerie remains an enthralling and enigmatic art, immersed in a lavish past yet strikingly relevant in the present day. Suzy of Tiny Studio Magazine commissioned me recently to write an article for her magazine about the amazing art of passementerie through both a historical and contemporary lens. Have a scroll below to see a little more of the article, or visit Tiny Studio website to purchase a digital or physical copy of the August issue (issue 20).

Find my article in issue 20 of Tiny Studio magazine (August 2023 issue).

Did you know that Henry VIII, the Tudor King of England, had quite the penchant for passementerie? Both the regal clothing worn by King Henry and the embellishments adorning his castles were crafted from opulent gold and silver trims, which would have glimmered and twinkled in the soft flicker of candlelight. Passementerie held such high demand in times past that a black market thrived around the theft and reselling of the craft. At one time, the use of passementerie was closely overseen by sumptuary laws, which dictated who could wear and use luxury textiles according to social class. Passementerie functioned as a conspicuous emblem of status, effectively showcasing the affluence, authority, and refined taste of individuals who showcased various types of trims within their estates and clothing.

Moving into contemporary times, passementerie has undergone a captivating and contemporary revival, with the art form expanding in numerous exciting ways. Through my work with passementerie, I am bringing it back into the future, utilising this beautiful form of art and craft in a thoroughly contemporary way.

To read the full article, please see the August issue of Tiny Studio Magazine.

Weaving through time...