Alicja Stańska

Embroiderer

©Damian Andrzejewski

©Mia Docci

©Damian Andrzejewski

Overcoming boundaries

Alicja was the first Polish alumni of Ecole Lesage Paris
Quality and ethics are at the core of her work
She specialises in luneville embroidery

At the age of 28, Alicja Stanska had already had a dozen different careers behind her and had worked in several corporations across Poland. Embroidery, that she learned as a little girl from her father, became her way of relaxation. "I realised a corporate work was not for me. I went back to what I had done in my childhood and found that I wanted to live off it." Since then, she has mastered both traditional techniques and very sophisticated luneville embroidery – as used in haute couture. It became her way of expression and communication throughout all her works – not only as an artist, but also as a human rights activist and criminologist. "Embroidery is everything to me. It always has been and will surround me for the rest of my life. And who knows what I will come up with in the next ten years!"

Interview

©Bernard Holdys

©Sylwia Ika Kowalsky

When did you decide to study at Ecole Lesage Paris?: I once saw a documentary about Maison Lesage and luxury craftsmanship, it made me want to learn the luneville technique as I was fascinated with haute couture fashion. After my return, I held an exhibition at the State Art Gallery with hand decorated costumes using those techniques.
How has your aproach to fashion changed?: As an activist, I dealt with human rights in the world of textiles and fashion. That is why I am focused on the craftsmanship and into creating one-off pieces with my own hands. In my works I use only European materials which I import from France, Germany or Italy.
What attracts you the most in embroidery?: I came to a realisation that it is not just craft: in my soul, I am also a designer. Creating new patterns, bringing embroidery further and overcoming its fragility is what interest me the most. That is why I have begun to combine it with new technologies.
What will be your next project?: I love architecture and always wanted embroidery to become something that I can use every day. Fashion is my inspiration for interior design. This combination fascinates me. I once said that I want to embroider the world and I am aiming for it – a bit.

Alicja Stańska is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010