No Place Like Home
Pearl Shoes
Project Details
Year:
2024
Brief:
No Place Like Home
Services:
Project Description
It is the theme of an exhibition at the contemporary art space, Queen Street Gallery, in South Wales, dedicated to The Wizard of Oz. The story of Dorothy’s journey to find her way back to Kansas, overcoming various challenges, served as inspiration for this piece. And, of course, there’s something magical about the shoes in the story.
This exhibition gave me the perfect opportunity to bring to life a project I’ve envisioned since my time as a student: creating a pair of shoes. Given the theme of "Home," it was essential that these shoes carried more meaning than mere decoration. They are my tribute to the traditional Russian pearl embroidery technique.
Reinterpreting the Technique of Pearl Setting
Pearl Shoes explores the idea of finding one’s way home — echoing the fairytale image of a little girl whose magical shoes lead her back to safety. The work connects this story with the traditional Russian technique of pearl setting, a form of embroidery where beads are seated on cords invisibly stitched to the base fabric.
While there are only a few historical examples of footwear decorated in this technique, this project reimagines how it could have looked and functioned. The shoes were entirely handmade — from constructing the base form to applying the embroidered surface — combining technical curiosity with cultural research.
By merging the process of shoemaking with the precision of pearl embroidery, Pearl Shoes reflects both craftsmanship and imagination, suggesting that “home” can also be a place built through making.
Setting
This technique involves using white cotton cords to stitch each pearl bead securely
Real Pearls
Natural shell pearl beads are used, maintaining authenticity and craftsmanship.
Contour Cords
Silver metal thread was used to create handmade intricate contour cords, adding structure and refinement.
Imagine this in your costume
I take on cosplay commissions
