Commonly in the machine embroidery industry, we rely on a design’s bold colors and outlining to define themselves, but real embroidery can do much more than that. Stitches alone offer a sculptural quality that when utilized, can bring a design to life just through their directions and fills. When looking back at embroidery through the ages, I was particularly inspired by the ornate qualities of the Baroque period. I thought it the perfect example of a “tapestry” of stitches and depth.

The Baroque Punk embroidery collection was a test to see if we could remove everything but stitch direction, and pull out a design that offers something only this kind of embroidery can… a deep and wonderful texture all of its own.

The Baroque Punk series is all about juxtapositions. The designs themselves are in a classic, ornate style, reflective of embroideries of old. The art itself, though, offers a twist on the theme, as they are heavily inspired by the alternate stylings of classic tattoos: sparrows, skulls, roses, and pistols. The jacket itself had to be a mix of these contradictions.
To pull such a thing to life, Urban Threads teamed up with Minneapolis designer Laura Fulk, whose highly acclaimed apparel has won multiple national awards and walked countless midwest catwalks. Laura wove together a beautifully tailored and modern jacket, juxtaposed with the raw edges of patchworked and hand-dyed fabrics. The embroidery itself was layered on top of the appliqued pieces, creating a rich tapestry and raw texture on top of a sharply tailored outfit.