Threads for Tomorrow

What tales does our waste tell? Threads for Tomorrow breathes new life into discarded materials, transforming them into a celebration of sustainability, craftsmanship and cultural connection. At the heart of this commission is the embroidering together of 500 Beach of Dreams Silks, damaged in storms along the South Coast in 2023. 

Renowned designer and textile artist Rahemur Rahman leads this ambitious project, collaborating closely with eight sewing groups based along the Thames Estuary, including the Whitechapel Sewing Group Inspire and resident Kinetika Studios sewing group, Kite Spirit. Each group is crafting its own unique and intricate silk panel, drawing on global craft techniques and infusing their designs with elements reflective of their local surroundings. These panels, made from fragments of the original silks, are embellished with naturally dyed threads and waste materials gathered from the banks of the Thames Estuary. The finished panels will form part of the sails for two contemporary, sampan-inspired mobile structures, co-designed by Rahemur and Kinetika.

Adding to the spectacle, a vibrant carnival costume will be designed by artist Sarah Doyle in collaboration with Rahemur Rahman, students from the South Essex College Royal Ballet and Opera House Costume Construction degree course and the participating sewing groups, serving as a striking centrepiece. Rooted in themes of sustainable textiles, natural materials and dyes, pollution and the interconnectedness of the natural and built environments – including the Port of Tilbury – this commission invites reflection on the hidden stories within waste. It celebrates the resilience of materials and communities alike, offering a compelling testament to the beauty that can emerge through reinvention, collaboration, and shared creativity.

Project Image: Threads for Tomorrow Workshop, North Kent College, Rahemur Rahman_Beach of Dreams Photo by Anne Tetzlaff.