Rising from the Ashes

An emblem of transformation, tenacity, and triumph.

Created as part of Claire’s graduate showcase and her entry into the prestigious 2017 Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery, Rising from the Ashes is a masterwork of symbolism and technique. The phoenix — eternal symbol of renewal — rises in breathtaking form, crafted with exquisite precision through a rich blend of embroidery techniques.

Awarded 2nd Prize in the Student Fashion Category, this powerful piece brings together:

Intricate goldwork
Beadwork that dances with light
Raised sequin embellishments that shimmer with movement
Hand dyed and silk screen printed silk devore fabric
Laser cut metallic kid leather embellished with intricate beadwork
Layered with meaning, the phoenix is brought to life using a variety of materials, including leather, woven steel, and gleaming metal threads — each one carefully selected to reflect strength and fluidity.

The surrounding fabric is equally spellbinding. Inspired by the ancient stone carvings of the Nasrid Palace at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain — where Claire spent a transformative summer in 2016 — the pattern was first hand-drawn, then digitally translated into a repeat motif. This design was silk screen printed by hand onto silk devoré and hand-dyed, marrying traditional craft with modern process in an echo of cultural legacy and contemporary voice.

Exhibitions
Rising from the Ashes has been celebrated in numerous prestigious exhibitions:

Show and Tell, Staffordshire University Graduate Showcase
New Designers Part 1, 2017, London Design Centre, Islington
Hand & Lock Prize Final Exhibition, Bishopsgate Institute, London

This phoenix doesn’t just rise — it blazes.