Maja Svensson – Sweden

Havana

Description

My inspiration for HAVANA comes from the Caribbean Sea and the timeless movement of the ocean. A powerful force of nature that is a timeless inspiration for life, art and creativity.

Materials

• White Parasisal Straw
• Straw stiffener
• White Dior fabric
• Swiss Organdie fabric
• Vintage 1940s veiling
• Dylon colors
• Millinery wire
• Petersham ribbon
• Thread

Techniques

• First I created a handmade headband hatblock to match my vision. The parasisal straw was hand dyed to the right shade of turqouise, then shaped into a headband on the handmade block (with dior fabric underneath to make it more solid), then stiffened. A matching petersham ribbon was sewn on underneath the headband and wire attached inside of it to keep it’s shape.
• The headband is trimmed with ombre hand dyed wide strips of organdie fabric that I hand pleated and rolled the long edges to create a sculptural formation, like a wave or a shell. The organdie strips was shaped into a sculptural piece on top of the headband and sewn into place. The vintage veiling was attached to increase the sculptural effect.
• The wave and shell like sculptural organdie trimming gives the headpiece a dramatic and almost organic effect. The name comes from the colorful Havana at the island of Cuba.