Hajime by Stuart Hillard was his first collection for Lewis and Irene. Named “Hajime” from the Japanese “to begin” or “beginning”.
A fresh beginning, a new start, sometimes to begin a new project is the hardest part. Stuart made rough marks on a page, thick brushstrokes in wet paint on paper, hatched lines in pencil and running stitches on cloth. Those loose lines became stylised florals, windblown reeds, clouds and interlocking cubes, all drawn in shades of indigo, blue and tan.
This collection and its colours are inspired by vintage men’s kimonos, once ubiquitous in Japan, everyday workwear made almost obsolete but re-imagined for modern sewing projects, clothing, quilting, bag making, crafts.
