3rd Place Winner

Lauren Paul is an English textiles designer who specialises in textural hand embroidery. Graduating in 2023 from London College of Fashion, Lauren takes a sensorial approach to her design work through the means of beading and appliqué, influenced by folklore, nature and traditional embroidery techniques.

For her entry, Lauren explores the exciting act of mudlarking, a cherished pastime she embraced while living in the heart of London to forge a deeper connection for her natural surroundings. With boundless creativity and a profound sense of purpose, she breathes new life into her precious finds by stitching them into her final design.

Through her art, Lauren beautifully repurposes remnants of the past, delicately mending the historical fate of where these artifacts have washed up and inviting viewers to embark on a journey of wonder and reflection to the history of the Thames foreshore.

Growing up by the seaside, Lauren discovered that her happiest moments were always near the sea. When she moved to London, the Thames became her closest substitute, though swimming is not an option, she found joy in exploring the foreshore through a pastime called ‘mudlarking’. This activity, dating back to the 18th century, involves scavenging the Thames foreshore for valuable items like pipes, bottles, ceramics, coins, and jewellery. Mudlarking, with its focus on discovering relics and remnants of the past, mirrors the act of uncovering and embracing the scars, cracks and fissures that characterise the journey of objects over time. Ultimately, the act of embroidery itself can be viewed as a form of healing and transformation, as stitches are used to mend and embellish fabric, much like how historical narratives are stitched together to create a richer understanding of the past.

Lauren’s key aim for her fashion piece was to create an environment where the viewer has to look closely to see specific detailing, scavenging for design like in mudlarking. Her mudlarked mementos have been sewn into her dress, surrounded by the erratic busyness in beaded texture. Laurens final piece embodies mudlarking, the delicate blue beads representing discarded pottery she has found, and the array of appliqué surrounding to represent the unpredictable foreshore. The shape of her garment was inspired by beach playsuits worn in the 40’s, the loudness of the shape amongst the embroidery is to keep the viewer engaged and absorbed.

Lauren’s piece invites viewers to explore the intricate details and hidden treasures within her design, much like the act of mudlarking, blending history, fashion, and craftsmanship into a single narrative.