What We Love and What We Fear , East London Textile Arts (ELTA)

East London Textile Arts (ELTA) is a Newham-based, artist-led textile collective that has worked with local communities for over 18 years, bringing together people of different ages and backgrounds to share their stories through embroidery and textiles.

This commission, the first of its kind at the V&A, has been created in collaboration with 90 makers and draws upon research into the V&A collection. The Circle Skirt contains approximately 1,500 pieces of fabric, incorporating embroidery by 40 participants, stitched and appliquéd to create a richly layered surface. Menelik’s Royal Robe was created as adaptive clothing for a wheelchair user. The kaftans explore personal stories of love and fear. No Work, No Identity was created in collaboration with Elevate, an East London youth-led initiative that gives young people a voice in shaping their communities.