The concept in Spice Trade is that of early travel on ships, large journeys through numerous cultures and ports. Musty ships that smell of wood, salty air, burnt oil and tobacco. Barrels and bags of spices and herbs, from far places returning home to be used in medicines and cooking. We are sailing as merchants or explorers, safe to discover as much as one can.
To take yourself there, recall the visuals you've always seen in movies, ropes swaying slowly with the waves, creaking timber, pulleys squeaking, and oil lamps burning giving light to the deck at night. Feeling misty salt air on the skin, damp hair, constant wind from all directions. There is no feeling of ill-at-ease to imagine a woman aboard a floating ship, away from laws and safety. We are building empires and following our hearts, expanding our knowledge and experiences to potentially share with generations to come. We are peaceful, excited and surefooted.
Our ships have developed as our priorities and needs have changed organically. Art and innovation are welcome in women's shipbuilding. Details are not frivolous.
One thinks about alternate lives we were not allowed to live. The objects we didn't make, ships we didn't build.
Forced restrictions, societal pressures and reasons not to pursue our dreams. The world is wide open, and I make numerous returns to the spice trade in other collections. Travel calls to the heart and in particular for myself, travel by ship, especially at night, is an exciting mystery
