Maggie’s Wearable Garden
Wildlife artist and fashion designer Sandy Gardner, tells us how Mother Nature and a bumblebee compelled her to support three inspirational women.
"During lockdown, on an essential and stressful outing into the nearby city centre, I glimpsed a large bumblebee struggling on the concrete. A striking queen, unable to fly and in danger of coming to further harm. I carefully scooped her up and took her home, fed her sugar water and placed her in the garden.
She spent the rest of the day exploring the gorgeous heads of foxglove, meadow sweet and poppy while I watched.”
Although she was unable to fly, seemingly unperturbed, she eagerly drank nectar. Her persistent presence entranced me, my new muse was a distraction from lockdown.
Her time with me ended and in the following weeks I strove to immortalise her enduring spirit through art. I studied and sketched the flowers she liked in great detail.
Like many during lockdown, Sandy was finding solace in the natural world and through creativity,
"With shock I watched the world battle, struggle and grieve as Covid 19 spread. I was experiencing the most tragic situation I have ever encountered. I felt helpless waiting at home while so many suffered. Drawing from Mother Nature's gifts was my therapy, a welcome respite."
Months passed, the spread of the virus slowed and Sandy's artwork progressed. As butterflies, insects and wildlife visited her garden, each was given a place within the final composition.
"When restrictions were lifted this new creation would become a wearable artwork, a scarf adorned in flowers, giving the wearer the wings of a bumblebee. I was determined that the queen of the garden would fly again"
"Sadly during the pandemic several of those close to me had lost a parent to cancer. I empathised as I had lost my father to lung cancer. A young friend shocked us all with her cancer diagnosis.
I gave my friends the personal support I could but everything was from a distance, funerals could not be attended and hugs could not be given."
The pandemic had disrupted cancer care, delayed diagnoses, treatment and clinical trials had halted. Large fundraising events had been cancelled, were still on hold, and charity income had substantially fallen.
"Compelled to contribute to the fundraising shortfall, I contacted friend and inspirational woman Sue Cook. Sue had been involved in choreographing and modelling at a charity fashion show. All the models had been affected by cancer, the next event was planned for 2021. I offered to donate some of my wearable art pieces to perhaps raise a few hundred pounds at auction for a cancer care charity."
Sandy learned that the fashion show is "Maggie's on the Runway", an auspicious event organised by Margo Cornish, another inspirational woman who has raised a phenomenal amount for Maggie's cancer care charity. The previous fashion event had accrued an incredible £225,000 for the Maggie's centre in Manchester.
The illustrious event is held under the wings of Concorde at Manchester Airport. The ambassador is pop music sensation Rick Astley. In the 2018 event, leading high street fashion names such as House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, JD Willams, Figleaves, Next and Coast adorned the models in beautiful clothing. The event was followed by a gala dinner with a silent auction of luxury gifts, sponsored by travel companies, cruise ships, and banks.
Margo Cornish highlights that Maggie's on the Runway is not just about raising money for the charity, "Cancer treatment and surgery can all have a huge impact on mental health leading to low self esteem. The 50 models involved are either living with cancer, have been through cancer treatment or have been affected by cancer of a loved one.
The show gives the models confidence, promotes positive body image, raises self esteem while inspiring and empowering other cancer survivors. The models form strong bonds, a resilient network of lasting friendship and support is formed."
Sue Cook describes that, "Cancer made me feel like I had lost all control, but here I was deciding for myself about my body for the first time in years. Yes, I had lost my breasts; yes, I have scars; yes, parts of my body are swollen, and I need to wear compression garments but then along came the opportunity to be part of Maggie’s on the Runway and this in turn introduced me to the wonderful sanctuary, which is the Maggie’s Centre, Manchester. I put on a full-length sleeveless dress, I wore silver shoes and blingy jewellery and I rocked that catwalk!"
Sandy added, "I felt somewhat overwhelmed that I had unwittingly approached such an important event and colossal charity with my independent brand of wearable art.
"I was very humbled and honoured when I received an invitation to meet with team members at the Maggie's Cancer Care centre in Manchester to discuss a possible collaboration."
Maggie's Cancer Care was founded by Maggie Keswick Jencks. Maggie was a writer, gardener and designer. When she was 47, Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer and five years later, in May 1993, on a visit to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, she was told that it had returned.
After hearing this, Maggie and her husband Charles Jencks were moved to a windowless corridor where they were left to process the news. They discussed the need for somewhere 'better' for people with cancer to go, outside of but nearby to the hospital.
Maggie and Charles designed the blueprint for the centres together, enlisting the help of some of their friends from the architectural world. The first Maggie's opened in Edinburgh in 1996, and now there are centres across the UK and even some abroad.
In Maggie's vision for her cancer care centres she highlighted the need for “a view out to trees, birds and sky” and the opportunity “to relax and talk away from home cares”.
Her centre architecture brief asked that "there is a strong connection between the outside and inside space. The people who come to Maggie’s should be able to look or step outside from as many places as possible, even if it's only into a planted courtyard."
It very quickly became apparent to Sandy that the experience she had shared recently with the bee had inspired the perfect artwork to compliment Maggie's vision,
"The queen bumblebee in my garden had an enduring spirit, embracing life till the end.
Maggie's idea was that with the right support, nobody would "lose the joy of living in the fear of dying" when diagnosed with cancer.
It was as if Mother Nature had orchestrated the serendipitous encounter with the bumblebee. I would honour her wishes, using the artwork to raise funds at a time when Maggie's services had become even more important than ever."
Sandy offered all the profits from the sale of 200 scarves. The highly detailed artwork, "The Wearable Garden", is a large scarf embellished with the letter M and the Maggie's cancer care charity logo. With arms stretched outward, the garment gives the impression the wearer has glorious wings of a bee and butterfly.
"Then the most wonderful events unfolded. Completely un-expectantly my Lancaster based fabric printers, Standfast and Barracks, offered to supply and print the fabric free of charge. I burst into tears at their generosity."
Although many businesses were carefully trying to get back on their feet due to the consequences of lockdown, suppliers offered me substantial discounts on packaging, manufacturing costs and hemming. Esteemed photographers and models donated their time and volunteers offered to help fold, gift wrap and package the scarves.
Mother Nature and a queen bumblebee has brought us together to support Maggie's vision. I feel humbled and flabbergasted by the generosity of those involved." Sandy Gardner
"We are delighted to be supporting local artist Sandy Gardner and her partnership with Maggie's cancer care. Produced in our Mill to the highest quality, the proceeds from these British made pieces will go entirely to Maggie's, we couldn't be more proud to contribute to such a fantastic cause." Emma Douglas, Standfast and Barracks Design and Sales Director.
"The wearable Garden is a perfect piece to compliment Maggie's vision. The garment is an absolutely stunning visual delight of colour and natural beauty. We are very grateful that Sandy and her suppliers have come together to make this happen. Their incredibly generous support will help us be here for so many people who need us now more than ever." Jessica Ruth, Maggie's Manchester, Centre Fundraiser Manchester
"Maggie's Centre has has given me space to be heard, to breathe, to make decisions, to access support and most of all it feels like being wrapped in a warm hug. To add to that wonderful feeling I have this beautiful scarf to wear whenever I feel like I need the caring wings of Maggie’s garden enveloping me. It takes me to a peaceful contemplative place filled with hope and joy." Sue Cook
The gift boxed Maggie's logo scarf and kimono robe will be launched at Maggie's on the Runway in October 2021 with all profits of the sale of the 200 scarves going to Maggie's Cancer Care.
Available to purchase £55 online from www.sandygardner.co.uk
The gift wrapped and boxed Maggie's logo scarf and kimono robe will be launched at Maggie's on the Runway in October 2021 with all profits of the sale of the 200 scarves going to Maggie's Cancer Care.
With sales from the Maggie's logo scarves, kimono robes and extended garden bumblebee collection, they aim to raise £10,000
