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The Last Leg

Lillie Baker Smith

Profile picture of Lillie Baker Smith
Lillie Baker Smith is a textile designer who works with colour and illustration to create tactile, narrative-led fabrics. Her process often begins with expressive sketches inspired by memory, storytelling, and motifs, which are then translated through woven structures, Jacquard techniques, and print. Lillies work carries a subtle sense of humour and nostalgia, resulting in textiles with character and a playful narrative.
Lillie Baker Smith is a textile designer who works with colour and illustration to create tactile, n...

'The Last Leg' explores the cultural heritage of the Palio horse race in Siena through a contemporary perspective. Blending childhood memories with historic research, the project reimagines elements of medieval costume, symbolism, and pagentary through a modern, illustrative lens.

The title, 'The Last Leg', plays ironically on the dual meaning of the project - referencing not only the horse race itself but also the final stretch of my degree journey and the sense of an approaching finishing line.

My final collection features a series of playful lighthearted woven designs that merge colour with whimsical hand drawn illustrations translated through Jaquard and print designs. Each piece celebrates storytelling, individuality, and the and the joyful dynamics found in this reinterpreted tradition.

Final work

Two images of seersucker sample. One visualised on a bag and the other held.
Three woven samples. Seersucker, Jacquard design and stuffed check.
Left, Jaquard woven illustration of dancing figure. Right, padded check square sample.

Left:

Jacquard woven design using four colours and six weave structures. A reinterpretation of a parade figure, incorporating architectural elements from the Duomo of Siena—where horse and jockey are blessed and celebrated.

Right:

Dobby woven sample featuring single cloth with extra warp figuring and double cloth stuffed pockets. An exploration of colour, texture, and materiality through woven structure.

Left: Red check with randomised stripes running through sample. Right: Diamond pattern background with illustrations of figures parading with flags.

Left:

Dobby striped check sample inspired by the vibrant energy of race day—drawing from the bold banners, busy crowds, and the overall atmosphere of excitement.

Right:

Detail from a large Jacquard design capturing a playful, whimsical interpretation of movement inspired by the parade and horses.

Research and process

  • image 1: seersucker sample on loom, image 2: warps wound on floor , image 3: stipe stuffed sample
  • Images of printed fabric and embroidery of vines, stars and horses
  • Images of a small leather bag prototype - brown leather, ball like shape with studs along handle.
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The Last Leg

'The Last Leg' explores the cultural heritage of the Palio horse race in Siena through a contemporary perspective. Blending childhood memories with historic research, the project reimagines elements of medieval costume, symbolism, and pagentary through a modern, illustrative l...

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