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Ilaria Harris

@zestandlavender

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Sew ✂️ Art 🎨 Embroidery 🪡 🇮🇹 🇬🇧
Artisan 2026 @aurifilthread
🥇Winner Fashion 2025 @handandlockprize

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🏆 Open Fashion Category 1st Place Winner: Ilaria Harris

Inspired by Renaissance preparatory studies, Syncresis explores the dialogue between idea and creation. After studying Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches at the Royal Archive, Ilaria captured the essence of aged paper by naturally dyeing her great-grandmother’s loom-woven linen-cotton fabric, grounding the piece in history and reimagining it through embroidery.

Her sketches form a deeply personal, cross-cultural narrative, where British heraldic references intertwine with her Italian heritage. Symbolism includes a heart reflecting her mother’s illness, a child representing personal loss, and the Head of Leda as a sign of healing. Horses evoke royal ceremony, the lion courage, and Verrocchio’s lilies rebirth and new beginnings.

Charcoal drawing forms the foundation, while embroidery brings the surface to life. Silk shading, glass beading and goldwork transform delicate lines into tactile detail. Free-motion machine embroidery ‘sketches’ the lilies, followed by refined hand embroidery. The contemporary couture cut blends modern British design with Italian sartorial tradition.

Syncresis embodies the synergy of two cultures, inviting viewers to contrast historic preparatory studies with contemporary fashion.

Materials & Techniques: Recycled fabrics; hand stitching with silks, cottons, metal threads and beads; hand-twisted wire and thread; padding using felt, string and card.

Prize Mentor: Charlotte Gaunt @rediscovered_by

Event Photographer: @amaliawalkey
Photoshoot Photographer: @domi_rad
MUA: @oliviatoddmakeup

#handandlockprize #handandlocklondon #theprize #fashion #embroidery taken in Hand & Lock by @zestandlavender

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9 months ago

I have been blessed with so much love this Summer, and I would like to thank you my Italian family and friends for the amazing opportunity to be able to share with them some of my creations and to be part of the amazing event FIAF 🎨 you made my dream come true.

FIAF is an international visual arts residency taking place in the historic village of Farindola (Abruzzo, Italy), located within the Gran Sasso.

Scroll to see what recently I have been up to:

1- Syncresis with my sketchbook full of research, drawing and photographs on display. Photo credit: AnnalisaMarzola

2-My ‘Venice’ dress worn by Aneliya Novikova @aneliya_piano photo credit Annalisa Marzola Marzola.

3- I featured in the Italian newspaper 📰 @il_centro A photo of me with my Hand & Lock Prize.

4-Venice dress worn by Aneliya before her performance. Photo credit: Annalisa Marzola.

5- Concert, Aneliya Novikova at the piano. Video credit: @futureprovenance

6- Aneliya and I with my two creations: Venice and Syncresis. Photo credit: Annalisa Marzola.

7- My wonderful mother kissing me after my presentation at the Vernissage FIAF event. Photo credit Daniela Iezzi.

8- Procida, a photo from our amazing holiday in this beautiful 🏝️ near Napoli.

9- I visited a 👒 maker artist and artisan Stefania Belfiore @modistastybel her atelier in the centre of Pescara was to die for! I got myself a hat for Goodwood Revival -More to follow.

10- After a long Italian holiday as soon as I got back I revisited the @vam_east Archive, off course I had to view few Dolce and Gabbana pieces. It is incredible that we are able to see for free some amazing artefacts, fashion items and more. Book your favourite objects it is a fascinating experience.

#fiaf2026 #vernissage #wearableart #zestandlavender by @zestandlavender

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2 months ago

A celebration of meditative side of creating something entirely by hand.

I hand-painted 🎨 and embroidered 🪡 this Cherub 👼 using a myriad of colours @aurifilthread 🧵 100% cotton made in 🇮🇹

I self-drafted ✂️ the linen top and to sew it with my sewing machine I used @aurifilthread 🧵 cotton 40WT perfect for topstitch and bobbin.

Watch the video for key parts of the process. Let me know if you have any questions.

Threads 🧵 used for the 👼:
Cotton 28WT Colour n. 5015 Gold yellow, n. 2265 Lobster Red, n. 2230 Red Peony, n. 2240 Rusty Orange, n. 2816 Teal, n. 1248 Dark Grey Blue, n. 2830 Mint, n. 1114 Grass Green, n. 2975 Brass, n. 2350 Copper, n. 2355 Rust, n. 6732 Early Grey, n. 2024 White

Linen top: self-drafted

Bag 🧵 @vendulalondon

Iron 🐠 @olisohome

Sewing machine @pfaffuk

Happy Sewing 🪡🌞🧵

#aurifilthread #slowstitch #zestandlavender #sewingproject #handembroidery by @zestandlavender

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2 months ago

I made sneakers! 👟👟 I painted them too 🤍

The word ‘sneaker’ was first used in 1875 in the USA referring to shoes for playing croquet. Strong rubber soles attached to white canvas uppers. Since then, they have evolved through many designs, becoming a popular fashion. Symbols of rebellious youth and objects appearing in Pop Art.

My love of making shoes comes from an early age. I used to spend hours in my aunt’s shoes laboratory. With Italian leather and mastice (glue) to make different accessories and today I couldn’t be happier to make my own in collaboration with @sneakerkit

I selected the new black soles and the black nubuck leather. The kit comes with waked thread and needle too, superb! I then downloaded the ‘Classic’ pattern and for the rest watch my video to have a little glimpse on how I made and then with @angelusdirect

Mood board and inspiration La Dolce Vita ♥️

This can become very addictive I now want a white pair too 😂♥️

Thank you @sneakerkit for the kit and for making one of the most wonderful video instruction! I love the waked thread. So easy to use!

#sneakerskit #ladilcevita #zestandlavender taken in London, United Kingdom by @zestandlavender

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3 months ago

I’m so excited to be part of the Artisans 2026/27 Aurifil team! 🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

I can’t wait to connect, share, learn and exchange ideas with all of you. This means a lot to me as the @aurifilthread threads are made in Italy, where I’m from originally.

I look forward to inspire and be inspired globally!

Here is my unboxing welcome pack and my first challenge 💙

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#artisans2026 #aurifilthread #zestandlavender taken in London, United Kingdom by @zestandlavender

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4 months ago

I’m thrilled to be sharing my story @simplysewingmag 🧵✂️

I had so much fun writing about ‘My Sewing World’. From art to fashion, from Milan to London if you would like to find out more buy issue 147.

It is packed with patterns and this month has an embroidery 🌸 project! A perfect fit with me!
Overall I love connecting with sewists and sharing ideas. Thank you Simply Sewing I’m beyond honored to have been one of the contributors.

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#wearableart #sewing #artandfashion #zestandlavender taken in London, United Kingdom by @zestandlavender

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5 months ago

This moment suspended in time: my deep gratitude for this recognition and for the remarkable community that made it possible @handandlockprize Here are some final-piece photos made by @handandlocklondon

What I have achieved this year feels surreal and here’s to my next project for 2026. Thanks to everyone for the support and love.

Open Fashion Category: 1st Place Ilaria Harris.

For the skirt I used the V1941B5 pattern @simplicitymccallsuk I slightly modified the waist and hem to create a fluid and elegant look.

Photo: @domi_rad
MUA: @oliviatoddmakeup

#HandandLockPrize #PrizeforEmbroidery #EmbroideryArt #OpenFashionCategory #zestandlavender by @zestandlavender

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10 months ago

A deep dive into Syncresis — the research, the concept, and how I made the first place Fashion category winner in the Hand & Lock 25th anniversary prize.

The book 📕 I used for my research was ‘Leonardo. The Complete Paintings and Drawings’ by @taschen_london it contains nearly 700 of Leonardo’s drawings.

@royalcollectiontrust

@handandlockprize

#handandlockprize #handandlocklondon #theprize #EmbroideryPrize #HLPrize #zestandlavender #wearableart #renaissance #leonardodavinci #fashion #embroidery #syncresis by @zestandlavender

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10 months ago

Behind a winning piece, there is dedication, passion and a lot of work that often goes hidden.

November has been has been generous, glowing in radiant glory. The Hand & Lock Prize @handandlockprize has been one of the most extraordinary creative journeys of my life. A space where artists and craftsmen gathers, where I’ve met souls who endlessly inspire, and where I’ve felt pure joy of belonging to an incredible community. Cheers to you all!

Here is my radiant muse, Klaudia, wearing my Syncresis piece in its half-born form, a gentle reminder that even in creation, there is magic.

A big thank you to @houseofossant for the Hand & Lock Prize webinars and all his guests, it truly helped me shape my idea and understand the brief.

Thank you for everyone who supported me before, during and after- I’m so excited for this new chapter ahead!

To all @handandlocklondon team @lucymartinembroidery @madeleinewozencroft @freyaalice_embroidery @lisscooketextiledesign @_daisyeliza @lucybishopart @michelleagnewart

Model: @klaudiajedlecka
Photo credit: @danieljames.photographic
Open Fashion Category 1st Place 2025: Syncresis @zestandlavender

#syncresis #handandlockprize #handandlock #openfashion #zestandlavender by @zestandlavender

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a year ago

“The more you look the more there is to see!”

We are all individual, but will all share the same passion for creativity & embroidery. To the Hand & Lock Prize 2025

Only a week ago @handandlockprize embroidery exhibition @galleryrosenfeld

I tried to include as many work as possible. Sorry if your work wasn’t in the video or I didn’t tag you, there is a limite on how many you can tag in a post.

I hope this reel gives the viewer an understanding about how much work there is behind each extraordinary piece.

#handandlockprize #handandlocklondon #handandlockprize2025 #rosenfeldgallery #embroideryexhibition #zestandlavender taken in Gallery Rosenfeld by @zestandlavender

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a year ago

Feeling grateful and truly humbled for the amazing experience at the 25th anniversary @handandlockprize ceremony. It has been the most wonderful journey for all the finalists. Here I am with the commemorative gold framed hand embroidered plaque produced by Hand & Lock’s skilled craftsmen for the 🥇 Open Fashion prize - a true treasure, and dream come true.

The Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery is an incredible global competition established by Alastair Macleod, the Chairman, who sought to promote and encourage the art of embroidery at a time when it was perceived to be in decline as a standalone art form. He had the vision for all of this and thanks to him we are here today after 25 years celebrating the creativity, technical skill, and artistry inherent in embroidery and to demonstrate its enduring relevance within contemporary design.

Each finalist is paired with a mentor whose experience complements their creative vision. A remarkable programme. I was very lucky to be paired with Charlotte Gaunt @rediscovered_by we immediately understood each other and what a team we became! Thank you Charlotte for all the tips and time you spent with my Syncresis!

At the ceremony I had a pleasure to meet Julie @julieheatonartist the Bristol based artist who won the Open Textile category last year. Such an inspiring woman, go visit her website she has golden hands.

I met two of the judges: Jamie @mrxstitch - he is an active leader in the online stitch community, and Diana Springall - one of Britain’s most respected champions of embroidery as a fine art form. Her collection is a resource of over 150 diverse works.

Such a great evening talking about art, creativity and embroidery with these incredible finalists and community. I am sure my friend Nathalie @toubna agrees with me. I would like to end by saying that we are all winners!!! The featured work @galleryrosenfeld was phenomenal guys! Cheers 🥂 to @madeleinewozencroft and @handandlocklondon team for the organisation and for keeping all the finalists happy. We love you 🥰 and we are all going to miss the group WhatsApp chat 💬 with deadlines 🤩🤭😘

#handandlockprize #handandlocklondon #zestandlavender by @zestandlavender

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a year ago

One feature embroidery in my ‘Syncresis’ is ‘Head of Leda’ the preparatory study by Leonardo da Vinci. Leda’s hair is tied in elaborate braids, highly detailed. It reflects Leonardo’s deep observation as well as his broader interest in spiral forms in nature.

Leonardo worked on several versions of Leda which I was able to view and sketch at the Print Room archive @royalcollectiontrust For the @handandlockprize I chose study number 27 the most intricate of hairstyles.

After drawing on the brocade fabric with graphite and charcoal I embroidered and beaded each strand of hair to capture her elegance and divine grace. I also used metal threads and bullions.

I’m so delighted that I have managed to use my mother’s vintage embroidery hoop, she had it since little and passed it to me when I was only 11y. Scroll to see the different stages of this work. I can’t wait to see my final piece @galleryrosenfeld only thee weeks left.

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#handandlockprize #handandlocklondon #theprize #EmbroideryPrize
#HandandLockPrize2025
#HLPrize2025 #handandlockprizeopenfashion #openfashion #fashionembroidery #zestandlavender taken in Nonsuch Park by @zestandlavender

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a year ago