The Nettle Dress: A tale of nature and craftsmanship in Koprivnica

The Nettle Dress (Photo credit: credit Mark Carroll)

Allan Brown, a textile artist and the world’s foremost expert on nettle textiles, is coming to the Croatian city of Koprivnica.

Allan is the pioneer of the movement towards surrendering completely to the process, learning from nature, and healing our relationship with fashion and our modern lives. 

Allan’s remarkable story is featured in the documentary film “The Nettle Dress” by Dylan Howitt, which has been hailed by The Guardian’s readers as one of the films of the year. In the film, we follow Allan over seven years as he, amidst personal loss, creates a dress made from nettles for his daughter.

Amongst the nettles (Photo credit: Dylan Howitt)

The film will be screened on Saturday, September 23rd, at 6:00 PM at the “Fran Galović” Library and Reading Room in Koprivnica. Since the film is just beginning its cinema distribution in the UK, this is a unique opportunity to see it in Croatia. 

After the screening, there will be a discussion with Allan. The film and the conversation with Allan will be in English (the film has no subtitles).

Before the film, Allan will conduct a workshop on making nettle textiles for leading regional experts in sustainable design, artists, and enthusiasts (the workshop is fully booked). The entire event is organized in collaboration with the Institute of Sustainable Fashion and the “Fran Galović” Library and Reading Room in Koprivnica.

Allan Brown with his daughter (Photo credit: Mark Carroll)

The essence of Allan’s work is that we don’t need to own land, machines, or factories. Even in the hustle and bustle of the city, we can find everything we need in a plant labeled as a weed – the nettle. The film’s praises encapsulate the importance of this approach: if you’ve ever wondered what the Earth would demand from fashion, this is the answer; craftsmanship turned into magic, alchemy, a meditation on nature, filled with love, a modern fairy tale that nurtures the soul, inspirational, and enchanting.

The processes and insights of working with nettle can be part of artistic practice, creation, work, business, meditative experience, connection with nature, or a part of the healing process, slowing down, and establishing a sustainable rhythm of life.