Photos: The National Fashion Show in Viljandi

Text: Merilyn Merisalu Photos: Merli Antsmaa

June 5, 2012

The models presented Ilme Kossesson’s linen dresses, inspired by Muhu design and decorated using a knitting machine, together with Aili Järvesaar's Muhu-themed crocheted vests.

"Knitted Stripes of Viru County” by Kersti Loite uses fragments of stripes from a skirt from Jõhvi parish, knitted into different parts of modern apparel as folded patches. The designer has made seven suits consisting of overcoats, skirts, jackets, vests and a tunic.

The master of ceremony, Kristjan Lüüs – a first-year theatre student at the Culture Academy – wore the national dress of the Tarvastu area, made by Kersti Roosmaa.

Triin Amur presented a collection of women’s clothes that was inspired by the national dress of Vormsi women and made of recycled material. The designer used fabric leftovers and textiles from secondhand shops for the clothes.

Maaja Kalle's collection included colorful dresses and skirts for children with designs from the islands of Western Estonia. Although such skirts were originally woven at Saaremaa from woolen yarn, using looms, Kalle used knitting needles and cotton.

Karolina Lehtma and Liisi-Ly Viitkin had a joint collection inspired by jackets from Sõrve. The modern collection that included jackets and overcoats for both men and women made many in the audience woo and desire the clothes they saw on the stage.

Gerly Karu's collection included open pockets attached to the sides of scarves. According to the author, there's no great interest in belt pockets, hence the idea to put the pockets needed to carry stuff in the sides of scarves, as the latter happen to be hot items. The winter scarves were made of drugget; those for the spring season were made of wool.

Kersti Pook’s graduation work consisted of four urban-style jackets from Põltsamaa and Kolga-Jaani parishes, accompanied by suitably striped skirts. The jackets are made of modern materials and decorated with colourful ribbons and lace.

Külli Vähi had re-created the clothing of Ruhnu men from the beginning of the 20th century. The order came from the Rannarootsi Museum. The collection is going to comprise a uniform for the captain of a Ruhnu-type ship. The buttons for the shirt had to be made of silver, so that if the seaman drowned and washed up on a foreign shore there'd be something to cover the costs for his funeral.

This collection of children's clothing by Janne Vaabla is based on the ethnographic style of mainland Estonian children’s clothing. The girls were wearing national shirts made of linen. Trench coats, denim sweaters and breeches were also presented.

Iriina Rei’s graduation work consisted of woolen knitted leggings that wouldn't look out of place today. The embroidery was inspired by the flowery designs of Muhu from the first part of the 20th century, distinguished by stylised plant figures.

Models in black-and-white costumes presented knitted gloves by Liivi Vain while making fluid dance moves with their hands. Vainu was inspired by bird and fir motifs from Lihula, as well as cross signs, believed to grant protection.