Viola: From Sketchbook to Silk, The Art of Embroidery
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Time to read 3 min
Viola: From Sketchbook to Silk, The Art of Embroidery
By Fleur Christacos, Founder and Designer of Fleur of England
Thread Nine: Embroidery
For twenty five years, embroidery has been one of the defining threads of Fleur of England.
Long before a garment is made, before fabrics are selected or silhouettes are refined, every bespoke embroidery begins in my sketchbook. It is one of the most personal parts of my creative process and, without question, one of my favourites.
Each collection tells a story, and for Viola, that story began with a remarkable flower.
Finding Inspiration in Nature's Curiosity
Throughout history I have always been fascinated by the relationship between art and nature.
While developing Viola, I found myself drawn to the extraordinary discoveries made by Victorian botanists, explorers who travelled the world documenting rare and unusual flowers with incredible precision and care.
Among them was the captivating leopard orchid.
Its beautifully marked petals felt wonderfully expressive. Elegant yet untamed. Delicate yet undeniably bold.
It embodied exactly the woman I wanted Viola to become.
She is the Romantic Dreamer.
Confident enough to embrace mystery.
Wild enough to write her own story.
The Journey from Pencil to Embroidery
Every bespoke embroidery at Fleur of England begins with a pencil.
I spend hours sketching each botanical detail by hand, refining every curve and every petal until the drawing feels alive. Those initial illustrations are then transformed into technical embroidery artwork, a process that requires remarkable craftsmanship to translate delicate pencil marks into intricate stitched thread.
This is where artistry meets engineering.
Every stitch must enhance the female form, flowing naturally across the body rather than simply decorating it. Scale, placement and movement are all carefully considered so the embroidery feels as though it has grown organically across the tulle.
It is this balance between creativity and precision that makes embroidery such a rewarding part of my work.
There is something incredibly special about watching an illustration evolve into something you can wear.
Designed to Bloom
For Viola, our bespoke leopard orchid embroidery blooms across the softest Italian tulle before meeting luxurious silk in a rich, romantic shade of deep plum.
The colour was chosen to enhance the depth of the embroidery, allowing every stitched detail to catch the light while creating a feeling of warmth, sensuality and quiet drama.
Delicate accents of 24 carat gold plated hardware complete each piece with a subtle glow, adding a final layer of understated luxury.
A New Expression of Confidence
Every collection offers an opportunity to evolve our silhouettes while remaining true to the timeless elegance that defines Fleur of England.
Viola introduces our new Balcony Bra, designed with elegant silk double straps that frame the neckline beautifully while offering exceptional support and comfort.
Alongside it are a refined silk back thong and our beautifully crafted Brazilian brief, finished with softly ruched silk straps that move with the body, proving that sensual design should always feel effortless to wear.
These are pieces created not only to be admired, but to become part of the moments when you feel most confident in yourself.
Meet Viola
I often imagine every collection as a woman with her own personality.
Viola is the Romantic Dreamer.
She is expressive, passionate and endlessly curious.
She embraces beauty without apology and understands that confidence isn't always quiet. Sometimes it is found in bold colour, intricate craftsmanship and the courage to celebrate every part of yourself.
She reminds us that luxury is not simply what we wear.
It is how we choose to feel.
A Collectible Chapter
As part of our 25 Threads of Luxury celebration, every Viola purchase will include an exclusive commemorative bookmark, marking Thread Nine: Embroidery.
For me, embroidery has always been far more than decoration.
It is storytelling stitched into silk and tulle.
It captures the hours spent sketching, the craftsmanship of exceptional artisans and the belief that true luxury lies in the details most people never notice.
Each bookmark represents another chapter in our twenty five year journey, celebrating the artistry, craftsmanship and creativity that continue to shape every Fleur of England collection.
Thank you for allowing me to share that journey with you.
I hope Viola inspires you to embrace your own romantic spirit, and to discover the quiet confidence that comes from wearing something created with intention, passion and extraordinary craftsmanship.