The Embrace Project
The Embrace Project was an embroidery series we created in 2020. To embrace something is to welcome it with open arms, hold, hug, accept it completely. This series features 75+ wonderful women in all shapes and sizes, from all over the globe and all walks of life. All beautiful in their own unique way, their bodies telling stories of life & love, nurturing & growth, difficulties & accomplishments; yet almost every single photo received also came with an apology for some perceived imperfection.
Each image is sketched into a pattern design, stitched into an embroidery, celebrated as prints and collated as a poster. I’m hoping that this project will help everyone to see that individualities are what makes every one of us beautiful, special and unique.
Words shared by the models
Valerie
“I remember crying at myself in the changing rooms monhs after the birth of my baby wondering if there was something wrong with me because I hadn't 'snapped back'.
I thought I was abnormal for having this really loose skin when all the pictures in the media or new mums had flat stomachs.
I started to hate the way I looked because no matter how much weight I lost it wouldn't go away.
Being part of this project has made me realise I'm not alone, I'm not abnormal, and I've never felt more empowered to love the body I have. Thank you Stephanie x”