This class focused on mending methods like "Boro" and "Sashiko" that have Japanese roots and are used to prolong the life of textiles.

A truly function design is one that maximizes usage, leaning away from consumerism. This stitching workshop focused on Japanese-inspired mending techniques such as “Boro” and “Sashiko” which are used to extend the life of textile products. Sashiko (刺し子, lit. 'little stabs') is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery or stitching used for the decorative and/or functional reinforcement of cloth and clothing. Boro (ぼろ) are a class of Japanese textiles that have been mended or patched together. Garments and textiles were repaired with spare fabric scraps out of necessity, and in many cases, the usage of repaired clothing lasted for several generations, leading to garments eventually resembling a complex and many-layered patchwork spanning decades of mending.

Ages: 12+

About Glitches and Stitches:

Through her company Glitches & Stitches, Natalya has collaborated with renowned companies including The Dubai Mall, Charlotte Tilbury and Levi’s. In addition to being an active member of Tashkeel, she works with a number of regional institutions such as Dubai Design Week, Sharjah Art Foundation, Jameel Art Centre, and Alserkal Avenue. Natalya Konforti is a French-American designer and artist based in Dubai. A lifelong traveler, she spent her childhood in Florida and trained as a fashion designer in France; her decade of experience in the textile industry led to a career in China before arriving in the Middle East in 2018.