Hanging By A Thread

ECKE FAEI was created by Julia Forslund and Freya Grotecke in 2020. Their project ‘Holding on by A Thread’ is a visual exploration of the imbalance of power felt by the working class in today’s landscape of growing political tensions, with a widening wealth gap. Reclaiming their working-class heritages through the design process has been critical in informing silhouette and material choices: Inspired by Freya’s connection to her hometown of Stockport, an industrial town with cotton and silk mills and the leather clothing that was worn by the miners in Julia’s industrial hometown of Hoganas. By combining and contrasting stretch nylon yarn and sharp tailoring, they explore the relationship between power and numbers. Taking inspiration from ‘The Sword of Damocles’,and Shelley’s ‘Masque of Anarchy’ who speaks of act committed by powerful people to keep less powerful people submissive, they want to subvert the idea of how power can be perceived.