Stitches In Gold
You’ve probably already seen Laura Baverstock’s work. The London-based embroidery artist worked on costumes for Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express and Josie Rourke’s Mary Queen of Scots - the latter earned an Oscar nomination for costume designer Alexandra Byrne. Goldwork is one of Laura’s preferred techniques and she has been a Trade Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers since 2016.
Laura started her artistic journey at the Royal School of Needlework, where she earned a degree in Hand Embroidery for Fashion, Interiors and Textile Art. Natural forms and organisms frequently inspire her work, which she first draws or photographs before developing her ideas into realised embroidery pieces.
When she isn’t embroidering costumes for the film industry, Laura creates beautifully intricate animal and insect forms in coloured and metallic thread. She combines traditional stitch techniques with contemporary design, creating embellishments and bespoke pieces with modern materials. Laura’s own commission pieces have been sold internationally, and she also has embroidery and design experience from multiple markets including couture, costume, womenswear, menswear and interiors. She has worked for clients such as Nicholas Oakwell Couture for the GREAT British Industry campaign, Alexander McQueen, HBO and Legendary Entertainment.
Blog post by Jessica Edney. Read next: Nelson Sepulveda's article Pile on the Passementerie in the Decorative issue. Subscribe to Selvedge here.