Goldwork Embroidery on the Runway and in Everyday Life

Goldwork embroidery has evolved like any other craft. The technique has modernized and found its way into everyday fashion — yet despite this, it remains the most expensive and luxurious form of embroidery in the world, an aspiration for every artisan. You don't need to dedicate yourself entirely to this technique, but understanding even the basics opens the door to creating true masterpieces! 

Behind the scenes of creating a dress for the Cannes Film Festival in 2021"

In recent years, goldwork embroidery has gained enormous popularity — and for good reason. Its resurgence is almost always sparked by the breathtaking runway performances of the world's most iconic fashion houses. You can probably guess which house reminded the world of this art form: Dolce & Gabbana, with their spectacular collections. Many people don't even know the name of the technique, but when they see goldwork elements combined with natural pearls and inlaid emerald and red crystals, they immediately say: "Oh! That's the Dolce & Gabbana look!" 

So let's take a closer look at how this ancient, luxurious craft has adapted to the 21st century. 

Dolce & Gabbana

We can all agree — in most everyday settings, outfits like these are strictly red-carpet territory :) 

But that's precisely the point. Such runway collections are designed to capture attention and drive sales of more accessible pieces — casual clothing, cosmetics, and accessories that carry the spirit and details of the collection. 

Dolce & Gabbana ignited a hot trend and, beyond their spectacular runway shows, successfully brought goldwork embroidery into everyday wear: sweaters, knitwear, sneakers, and accessories featuring goldwork elements. 

In the beauty world, the brand Guerlain created a lipstick case decorated with a goldwork bee — crafted by the Parisian atelier Baque Molinie. A beautiful example of this technique crossing from high fashion into everyday luxury. 

Alexander McQueen

Another fashion house with an instantly recognizable aesthetic. 

Without wanting to critique the quality of execution, I will say: when pieces carry the price tags of fine art, the craftsmanship should be flawless. It's understandable — even the giants of the fashion world cut costs, and skilled goldwork embroiderers are in desperately short supply. That said, I have had the privilege of seeing these pieces in person and selected a few close-up shots so you can examine the details for yourself. In the first image you can notice some technical imperfections — a reminder that even at this level, skilled goldwork embroiderers are rare. The other pieces, however, show what true mastery looks like.

 Zuhair Murad

Far less frequently, but no less impressively — we can admire stunning goldwork pieces in the collections of Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. Here are a few gowns from his 2018 Fall Couture collection. 

No surprise there: the Lebanese have always had a passion for luxury, gold, and breathtaking embroidery. They have an extraordinary talent for celebrating femininity, sensuality, and status — which is exactly why women around the world are captivated by Lebanese designers. 

I hope this inspires you to create something beautiful! If you'd like to try it yourself, join the waitlist for our upcoming beginner course — where you'll embroider 6 stunning golden bugs using foundational goldwork techniques in the style of the great couture houses. Join the Waitlist