It's Not Just a Dream, It's Who You Are

It's Not Just a Dream, It's Who You Are

Threads, Off-cut threads, Fabric scraps, and Charlotte beads

By Arzelle van der Merwe | Fashion Designer, Fibre Artist, Educator, Founder of Sew on & Sow forth (@sew_on_and_sow_forth)

Artwork Valuation: $1,286

Arzelle van der Merwe is a fashion designer, fibre artist, and educator with over 20 years’ experience in the fashion industry. From Cape Town, South Africa, and based in Singapore for 12+ years, she blends technical skill with creativity and care. Her journey spans bespoke bridalwear, university lecturing, and sewing mentorship. Arzelle empowers beginner sewists to build strong foundations and confidence through mindful guidance. Her work is rooted in storytelling, sustainability, and self-expression. For Arzelle, sewing is more than a skill—it’s a mindful practice and way to reconnect with creativity and self.

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This Barbie is a tribute to childhood dreams and the quiet power of belief. Her wings are made from off cut threads—delicate, layered, and stitched together to reflect how fragile yet powerful dreams can be. I didn’t want polished or perfect wings; I wanted something light, raw, and expressive, like the dreams we carry as children. Their softness contrasts with the structured skirt. I used off cuts from past work, combining structure, drape, and hand beading—a nod to my years in bridal wear, lecturing, and my current role as a sewing mentor. For me, these wings represent possibility, intention, and the quiet strength of supported dreams.

Courtesy of the artist | All proceeds aid underprivileged children from Singapore Red Cross 

Note: There is a 250% tax deduction value on the difference between the winning bid price and the artwork's valuation price.