I have a dream...
My dream is that people who have had a lifetime of conditioning that their body is in some way under-par (this is mostly but not exclusive to women) can experience the liberating magic that a few simple stitches and some know-how can bring to improve your relationship with yourself.
It is truly, TRULY, transformative.
It all began aged 4 or 5 when I found a bin liner full of fabric scraps in a cupboard in the utility room.
In those days Sunday morning TV was ‘Frost in TV’ (and we only had 4 TV channels, can you imagine!) and so on weekends when I woke up early I amused myself until the adult in the house was awake.
I started chopping up fabric one day... and I basically never stopped.
As a teenager with a history of trauma, I became a reclusive daydreamer, escaping into period films and developing an obsession with costumes.
My sewing skills emerged from a deep desire to dress up and escape to another time and place.
This photo is me at 14, wearing an outfit I made the year before, after falling in love with Mr. Darcy—like so many others! Elizabeth Bennet became my first heroine (I even named my daughter after her!).
For a very long time, all I wanted was a corset and crinoline to be like Scarlett O’Hara.
So, I taught myself how to make them.
I trained in Theatre Design at Central St Martins, which led to a ten-year career creating costumes for ballet, theatre, and opera.
I followed with an MA in Costume Design from the London College of Fashion., and after moving to Cornwall in 2010, I launched a couture bridal label under my maiden name, Annalise Harvey.
I designed countless beautiful gowns for incredible women, winning two Wedding Industry Awards among others.
"The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress."
— Hubert de Givenchy
Fun facts!
I was born in East Africa as a third generation Kenyan, and consider Kenya to be my Motherland - though I now enjoy living in beautiful Cornwall UK
As well as an intense interest in all things historical, I can't get enough science fiction on the telly (but it has to be the right level of scary otherwise I'm not keen!)
I was diagnosed as Autistic when I was 43 after discovering my eldest daughter is also neurodivergent. As a result I am driven to support inclusivity and understanding in society for all of human diversity. Autistic people have amazing gifts, and our sparkly brains give us excellent skills and attributes - but living in this world can be so exhausting it can knock us sideways.
Be kind!
If you have any questions about how Stitch Social can help you reach your personal sewing goals and support your wellbeing as you do, please do reach out!
