Balaclavas have made a major comeback in recent years, and high-end fashion designers aren’t the only ones embracing them. London-based designer Mila Textiles is using the power of beadwork and embroidery to transform balaclavas into wearable works of art.
Balaclava is basically an alternative name for ski masks, and their backstory is pretty interesting. They were named after the Battle of Balaclava, fought during the Crimean War in the mid-19th century, when British troops tried to combat cold weather by wearing knitted headgear.
Over the years, balaclavas have been associated with everything from skiing and racing to military and heists. Mila Textiles decided to put a twist on this fashion garment, creating balaclavas that spark nothing but positive feelings with their beautiful designs and burst of colors.
This brand was founded by the London-based designer Kamila, shortly after she graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2020 with a degree in fashion textile embroidery. She now focuses on making one-of-a-kind handmade accessories, mostly handbags and balaclavas, embroidered entirely by hand.
“I specialize in creating playful, abstract wearable art inspired by natural surroundings with a touch of surrealism. All products are hand-crafted, using up-cycled materials where possible,” the artist explains on her official website.
