Lucy Boland

Bluewater Silk

I’ve been in love with fabric since I was a child and have worked in textile media and collected beautiful fabrics from around the world for most of my life. I completed a degree in Design at UCD with an emphasis in historical clothing and world textiles. What I really love about traditional fabrics are how they can have deep cultural roots and can sometimes reveal the individual maker’s hand the way any fine art does. I find the ancient and beautiful textile traditions of Japan especially inspiring. I’ve collected vintage and antique kimonos, haori and obis from dealers in Japan for many years now. I started my business, Bluewater Silk, as a way to give new life to these lovely garments which are no longer usable. I carefully pick them apart and repurpose them into scarves, bags and simple jewelry. It’s really rewarding to bring these beautiful fabrics back into the world.