THE NETTLE DRESS
Textile artist Allan Brown spends seven years making a dress by hand, just from the fibre of foraged stinging nettles. This is ‘hedgerow couture’, the greenest of slow fashion, but also his medicine. It’s how he survives the death of his wife that left him and their four children bereft, and how he finds a beautiful way to honour her.
Foraging, processing, spinning, weaving, cutting and sewing. Making a dress this way becomes devotional, with every thread representing hours of loving attention. Over seven years Allan is transformed by the process just as the nettles are.
A modern-day fairytale and hymn to the healing power of nature and slow craft.
WINNER: Audience award, Cinecity film festival.
FESTIVALS: Cinecity, Doclands, Woods Hole, Hebrides International, Screenplay Shetland, Port Townsend, Doctober, Glimmerglass
FILM REVIEW DAILY: ‘Dylan Howitt’s poetic documentary can be counted as one of the best cinema surprises of 2023.’ ★★★★★
SIR MARK RYLANCE: ‘An exquisite, inspiring film’
SIGHT AND SOUND: ‘Meditative and Magical’’
TRADFOLK: ’68 minutes of pure soul nourishment’
KNITTING MAGAZINE: ‘A modern day fairytale’
PROFESSOR KATE FLTECHER: ‘If you’ve ever wondered what the earth would have fashion do, this is your answer.’