HOPE

Adriana Savastano

Spain

• Metallic Headband Project by Elena Shvab

This work is based on the project shown by the London milliner Elena Shvab, for the realization of metallic headbands. The proposed idea of converting sheet metal into fabric seemed like a very suggestive challenge to me. The piece that was born, named "Hope", is totally dedicated and inspired by my little son Luca. Spending most of the time with me every day, I thought about capturing something that he might have liked to see take shape. He is a happy spirit and he loves to sing and walk in nature, watching the leaves move in the wind and the sun create shadows on the ground. That's why I went for a botanical and organic design: a curved branch with small leaves. On this branch, the flowers are butterflies. The choice of composition is symbolic. My little one has an ASD condition and he is, therefore, one of the children born having to fight as soon as they arrive in the world. For them and for their families, childhood is not only a sweet and romantic moment of life, but also a period of challenges, ups and downs, joys and, sometimes, despair. Still, these families, fueled by hope, do not let this condition ensnare their children in an endless circle. As in this headdress, the circle becomes a ramp to pick up speed, run on the branch and, one day, open up to the world, taking flight like those beautiful butterflies. The whole piece gives off light. Copper and gold merge creating games of tones and shadows. Like thoughts that want to shape the future, these butterflies await the moment of flight. This headdress wants to be a melody that tells these children and their families: Do not give up! In the least expected moment we took off flying.

• White organdí
• Metallic foil copper and gold colour
• Cotton covered millinery wire
• Flexible wire
• Compass cutter
• Cutting mat
• Scissors
• Bondaweb
• Baking paper
• H 12 glue
• White glue
• Metal headband
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Patchwork clips
• Craft knife
• Metal comb
• Pencil
• Wet wipes
• Headband
• Pins
• Millinery needle
• Matching thread

• Bonded fabrics
• Cut fabric into strips, leaves and butterflies
• Hand sewing
• Lined wires and headband
• Union of the butterfly flowers to the wire base
• Mould wire and cutted fabrics to form desired shapes
• Mounting the headdress on the headband and applying the comb.