SHALL EARTH NO MORE INSPIRE THEE

SS25

Taking its title from Emily Brontë’s 1841 poem, Shall Earth No More Inspire Thee is an exploration of the relationship between nature, craftsmanship and poetic reflection. The collection draws inspiration from the gardens at Highgrove, where the quiet harmony of light and shadow created by the natural forms evoke a sense of peace and stillness- qualities that are increasingly lacking in today’s world. At the heart of the collection is a desire to reconnect to nature, an idea echoed in both Brontë’s poetry and the cultivated naturalism of Highgrove. Emily responds to this theme by reimagining traditional materials within the context of modern fashion, pushing the boundaries of natural fibers whilst embracing past traditions.

A key material of the collection is hand plaited wheat straw braid, a skill that Emily has self-taught for the past few years and has refined during her time on the fellowship. This critically endangered craft is reintroduced through carefully considered techniques, and by combining other materials into the plaits she links heritage skills with present-day design. Paired with T’nalak - a handwoven banana fibre textile made by the T’boli people of the Philippines, and hand-punched felt, the materials highlight Emily’s commitment to sustainability and the maintenance of crafts for future generations.

Through the contrast of natural straw and black embellishments, and drawing inspiration from historical silhouettes, Emily creates a timeless aesthetic. Her work invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with the natural world, and to embrace a slower, more harmonious way of living. One that returns, with intention, to the earth.