From Knitting to Jacobean Embroidery – All in One Place at Ķīpsala

This weekend, from 8th to 10th April at Ķīpsala, the exhibition „Intertextil Balticum 2011" will take place, this year gathering a large number of handcraft masters, fashion accessory designers and artists.

          The exhibition organisers have this year reserved a special place in the international textile industry exhibition for those who make various garments and accessories by hand - in just one or a few copies. Visitors will be able to both view and purchase garments and accessories made in various techniques, participate in masterclasses and simply spend time well in a creative atmosphere.

A paradise for craft lovers

          It is impossible to list all the exhibitors and their creations, as the range includes dog wool scarves, exclusive bead jewellery, never-before-seen macramé scarves, textile mosaic pieces, ruffle scarves and much more. Of course, alongside the craft makers the exhibition will also feature fabric, clothing and raw materials manufacturers, and established and upcoming fashion artists from Latvia and abroad. A wide range of materials for making garments and accessories will be available - threads, needles, buttons, beads, sequins, various auxiliary tools - right through to multifunctional "Brother" sewing machines.

          As mentioned, creative masterclasses will take place during the exhibition, offering the chance to learn how to work in more than 10 different handcraft techniques. The masterclasses are organised and supported by companies "Sonika", "Coats Latvia", "Burda's Salon", the specialist sewing machine online shop sujmasinas.lv and the Textile Mosaic Association. Visitors will be able to try flower-making, felting, rug-making, "One Stroke" fabric painting, hat-making, patchwork, "Nouno" felting, canvas embroidery, crochet hook use, Jacobean embroidery and Irish lace-making. Meanwhile, the "Dream Workshop" will offer a completely new craft technique - volume decoupage, or "Sospeso Trasparente", patented by Italian artist Monica Allegro.

          The first Latvian Speed Sewing Championship will also take place at the Creative Workshops stand at Ķīpsala. On display will also be a unique large-format quilt made in textile mosaic technique - the "Friendship Quilt for Riga" - measuring 7.50 metres long and 1.80 metres tall.

For inspiration and relaxation

          For those interested in fashion and design, during the exhibition there will be an opportunity to watch several fashion shows - both by designers and companies. Collections will be shown by designers Artis Štamgūts, Sabīne Groza, and students from the Design Department of Novia University of Applied Sciences (Finland, Turku).

           At Ķīpsala there will also be fashion shows from clothing manufacturers. The latest collections will be shown by "Ādas dizains", catalogues "Halens" and "Cellbes", and the Bulgarian company "ZOYA-ZOYA ILIEVA". Lithuanian "Kailiu Mitas" will present its latest fur collection. Ladies in particular may enjoy the corset fashion show by Russian designer Natalya Piskunova, as these pieces are made in a single copy and each is a unique work of art.

           On 9th April, visitors will be able throughout the day to view the latest fashion trends in collections by 50 young fashion artists at the 11th Young Fashion Artists Competition "Habitus Baltija 2011".

            On Sunday, vocational school students, the Latvian Rural Women's Association and the sewing and handcraft school "Burda Riga" will show their work.

          If fashion shows don't appeal, time at the exhibition can be spent exploring the latest offerings from manufacturers in clothing and accessories. For instance, checking out what a self-adhesive postage stamp-shaped clock looks like - available in such a wide variety of designs it's impossible to show them all at once. Students from the Latvian Academy of Arts will have created a "Fashion Forest"; at the "Orgamint" stand you can view and purchase satin bed linen and nightwear, including a novelty - men's nightshirts. The exhibitors' offerings include products from many well-known brands - clothing, jewellery, hats, bags, belts, shoes and more.

More information about all activities and participants can be found on the exhibition website www.bt1.lv/intertextil.