The Final Firing
Growing up amidst the abandoned pottery factories of Stoke-on-Trent, I developed a deep connection to protecting skilled crafts. The 1956 Clean Air Act, coupled with cheaper, mass-produced pottery, led to the industry's decline. The pottery trade was fraught with dangers—poisonous substances, high temperatures, and child labor. The Final Firing is a genderless workwear collection of aprons and jackets, blending soft and hard to honor the contrast between beauty and danger.
Alicia Walker
Stoke-on-Trent, England
'Sprig Moulds', Alicia WalkerPorcelain clay, stainless steel wire on vintage French hemp-linen. Inspired by sprig moulds used in the factories to produce delicate ceramics. The moulds were made from foliage collected along the river Trent, used to transport ceramics. The wire represents the wire used to cut clay in the industry. This piece shows how opulent ceramics were created amongst terrible working conditions.
'Brick Weave', Alicia WalkerLaser etched reclaimed leather weave. Inspired by the heavy machinery used in the factories.
'The Worker', Alicia WalkerVintage grape pickers cloth, vintage mangle cloth, hand-woven goat hair, reclaimed hemp, reclaimed hemp linen, naturally dyed reclaimed cotton (oak leaves from the river Trent, nettles from the river Trent, black tea, pomegranate), embroidery thread. Inspired by the concept of a worker constantly mending his jacket working in the tough conditions of the factory.
'1956', Alicia WalkerRust and tea dyed vintage cotton-linen calico, sawdust fired stoneware ceramic buttons, sawdust fired stoneware ceramic buttons. Inspired by the dangerous smog and smoke produced from the kilns that covered Stoke and prompted the introduction of the 1956 Clean Air Act.
'Derelict', Alicia WalkerDigitally printed bull denim, obvara fired stoneware and terracotta clay, embroidery thread. This piece represents what is left of the industry in Stoke, showing broken ceramics, bricks, kilns and hanging threads representing the foliage growing through the old factories.