in 2022 I was contacted by Carol D’Silva a designer and lacemaker with a unique request. Carol’s mother, Nelinda, introduced her to the fashion world at a young age, including lacemaking. For her wedding, Carol wanted her train to feature lace from all 15 countries she had visited that she knew still had active lace communities. Carol contacted me to see if I would make the lace for Australia, the country Carol calls home and the location for her marriage.
This was a huge responsibility as the brief was to capture the lace style from this region. Australia has no specific lace style, so instead I asked Carol about her connection to the lacemakers of Australia. Nelinda and Carol had a close connection to Olwyn Scott OAM, a highly regarded lacemaker based in Western Australia. I knew Olwyn has been involved in designing and making lace for the Danish Royal project to Celebrate the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and His Royal Highness the Prince Concert. It was commissioned by the Danish Lace Association “Knippling in Denmark” who wanted to present the couple 12 placemats with lace from the four countries the couple had a special connection. Olwyn’s lace was featured on the cover of Australian Lace Winter 2019.
The gorgeous eucalypt design was an instant inspiration. Given the personal connection the family had with Olwyn, I decided to contact her and with her blessing, use this design as inspiration for the Australian lace for the veil.
Months passed with several discussions back and forth with Carol about specifications for the design. The final piece was made in my studio in Eltham which is surrounded by eucalypts and Australian Fauna and was ready for the wedding in early 2023.
Carol incorporated all 15 oval lace features into the dress train, designing and making the dress with the encouragement, help and support from her mum.
Since the wedding Carol has toured the lace around the globe to showcase the lace and her incredible vision. The story and details of its travels can be found scattered amongst the posts on Carol’s facebook page. I am honored and humbled to have been selected to represent Australia in this incredible creation.
Lindy de Wijn 