Lora Avedian: Modern Heirlooms and the Pleasure of Making
Much of Lora Avedian’s work begins with looking closely at materials, inherited forms and the small details that carry meaning. Her practice unfolds through embroidery, surface design and making for interiors, where stitch is used as both decoration, and as a way of thinking and learning through the hand. Teaching is a vital strand of this approach, offering a space where ideas developed in the studio are shared and expanded. This spring, that ethos takes shape through two Selvedge-led events: Meet Lora Avedian: Embroidering Tulips and Carnations and the two-part online workshop Embroidering Tulips and Carnations.
Tulips and Carnations in progress, by Lora Avedian
Working across textiles and decorative surfaces, Avedian creates pieces that feel grounded in tradition yet responsive to contemporary life. Her approach is shaped by research, travel and a deep respect for making processes. These inspirations also inform her newest body of work, including Looping Forms, a textile collection launching on 16 February. Developed in her London studio, the collection draws on journeys to Japan and Armenia in 2025. Abstract looping motifs reference ancient Armenian jewellery, while the colour palette reflects objects gathered during her travels. The collection includes embroidered trims and curtain edges, made using free-motion machine embroidered cord on wool and produced in small batches.
Tulips and Carnations in progress, by Lora Avedian.
An Associate Lecturer on the Embroidery BA at London College of Fashion and a highly regarded workshop leader, Avedian is known for creating supportive learning environments that encourage curiosity and experimentation. Her teaching draws on techniques developed through professional practice and academic research, inviting participants to explore embroidery as a flexible and expressive language.
Tulips and Carnations in progress, by Lora Avedian.
Selvedge is pleased to host Meet Lora Avedian: Embroidering Tulips and Carnations on Wednesday 4 March 2026, 5–6pm GMT, followed by a live Q&A. This is followed by the two-part online workshop Embroidering Tulips and Carnations with Lora Avedian on Saturday 9 & 16 May 2026, 2–5pm BST. Across the two sessions, participants will learn couching, appliqué, hand smocking and three-dimensional flower-making techniques to create a finished textile artwork. Only basic sewing skills are required, so if you have ever felt the urge to try your hand at embroidery, this is a great opportunity to begin.
In celebration of these events, we caught up with Lora Avedian in a Five Minutes with a Friend interview, where she reflects on her practice, teaching and current inspirations:
Five Minutes with a Friend: Lora Avedian
Lora Avedian. Portrait by Ellie Smith
Lora, what is your earliest memory of a textile?
I have a strong memory of a knitted blanket that my grandmother made. She used to have it on her lap all the time in her later years. It has square patches made with loads of odd coloured ends, so some are squares made from two triangles of different colours. I love it. My kids use it all the time to play with or sleep with, and it recently started getting holes in it so I mended those.
How would you describe what draws you to textiles and the world of making?
Tactility, colour and materials. I love textures and colours and I collect vintage trims, embroidery samples and ribbons. I can’t really get enough of them. I love looking at them for reference. The colours and compositions, material combinations, often materials that you can’t get anymore using techniques that would only be used in couture houses today. I wonder who made it, who wore it, having a little slice of history; there is something really magical about that.
Sunlight hits the embroidered artworks inside Lora Avedian's studio.
If you create textiles, where do you feel most inspired to work?
I love working in my studio at my desk, with my mood board in front of me and lots of boxes of materials around me. Its my favourite place to be.
What has sparked your imagination or inspired you recently?
Last year I went on two trips of a lifetime, to Japan and Armenia. Both of these places have really inspired me. The quiet simplicity of Japanese culture and design, and the beautiful colours of nature there. I am half Armenian so going there was a big deal for me, and I took advantage of the time to do a lot of ethnographic research. Looking at ancient historical objects in museums, and paintings from my favourite artists. I used inspiration from both of these places to developed my new trims collection Looping Forms (coming Feb 16th).
What is your most treasured textile, and what story does it carry?
I have a piece of needle lace that my great grandmother made (on my mother’s side) that is half finished, stitched on a metal frame, with the needle still in the fabric. I love knowing this was made by her hands, she was a very glamorous woman and even though I didn’t know her it makes me feel closer to my British family history.
Embroidered artwork by Lora Avedian
Where did you first learn your craft, and who shaped your early approach to making?
My mum is really into textiles, and studied printed textiles at Chelsea, so she was the one who got me interested in it. I started embroidery when I was doing my GCSE’s, even though no-one asked me to, I would always add some to my textile projects in home economics. I kept doing that through my A-levels and at that time I was at school with Karen Nicol’s daughter, who introduced me to machine embroidery on the Irish. She opened up my eyes to the extent of what embroidery could be, I loved it, and I think it all took off from there.
Is there a piece of music you return to while you work, that sets the rhythm of your making?
I am a bit stuck in the 00’s with my music taste, but if I find a good album I listen to it on repeat while I am working. Recently I have been listening to Patrick Wolf’s new album. I often come back to Chilly Gonzales piano music if I need to really focus and just need something in the background.
Looping Forms by Lora Avedian, launching on 16 February 2026. Photo: Kristy Noble
What material or technique are you currently experimenting with or curious to explore further?
Recently I have been focusing more on the soutache braid that I work with, and exploring the possibilities of that, but at the same time I am really keen to do more silk ribbon embroidery, I bought some ribbons in Japan and I absolutely love using them. I have used them a lot in a collection of works I made for a small solo exhibition I am doing at Once Gallery in June. I think the technique is underrated, and I want to explore how I can work with that more.
If you could collaborate with any maker—past or present—who would it be, and why?
That is tough - there are many! Past - I would love to have worked with Sonia Delauney, I love her sense of colour and patterns, Chanel for the chic simplicity, or William Morris to translate some of his designs into embroideries. I guess people might not see me as a fashion embroiderer, but it’s where my roots are, and I would love to work with more clothing brands, especially someone like Simone Rocha or Erdem. I still find fashion inspiring. Crafts people specifically; I would love to collaborate with a furniture designer like Sebastian Cox. I also am very keen to work with a weaver, carpet maker or make a big tapestry of my drawings with someone like Dovecot Studios.
Embroidered artwork by Lora Avedian
What does a perfect day of making look like for you?
I always start with a cup of tea. Listening to a podcast, or audio book.The sun has to be out - good light is so helpful to feel motivated and to really see the colours your working with. I love to have an uninterrupted play with materials, just exploring what they can do with no real outcome. I like to look at all the references I have collected, do some drawings in my sketchbook, look at all the materials I have and put colours and textures together to sample with.
-
Further Information:
To find out more about the upcoming Selvedge events with Lora Avedian, please click on the following links:
Meet Lora Avedian (Embroidering Tulips and Carnations)
Embroidering Tulips and Carnations with Lora Avedian
-
-
Image Credits:
Lead: Tulips and Carnations by Lora Avedian
All further images as credited in photo captions.