‘Cumbrian Falls’ is an embroidered interpretation of a moment captured during a family hike in the Lake District. Drawing from a photograph taken by her brother, Eliza translated the scene into intricate stitched detail.

The waterfall is a natural spectacle that invites stillness, reflection, and sensory immersion. For the artist, it evoked tranquility and contemplation during a difficult time. Its cascading flow becomes a metaphor for the passage of life, resilience, and the challenges we navigate. Across cultures, waterfalls carry layered symbolism. In Native American traditions, they are sometimes viewed as portals between realms. This sense of the fantastical and otherworldly resonates deeply with the themes Eliza explores.

To capture the depth and movement of water, the cascade was constructed using carefully chosen pre-loved appliqué lace on black silk organza. Different lace textures create shifting volumes of water, while beads highlight areas of depth, power, and flow. Beaded smocking suggests water weaving around stones before gathering strength again. The waterfall descends into a jewelled pool, where the direction of each bead shifts to evoke the glimmer of still water and a sense of purity. Surrounding foliage and rock-like textures anchor the piece within an imaginative, dreamlike landscape.

Eliza envisages this embroidered artwork positioned on the bodice of a corset within a bustier-style dress, allowing the waterfall to flow seamlessly into the natural pleat formations of a long skirt. This narrative approach reflects her ongoing interest in film and the power of costume to tell a story. By designing the piece as if it were part of a character’s wardrobe, she frames the embroidery not only as an artwork but as a moment within a larger visual tale.