Author: Gea Promet
Style: Gea Promet (Muhu)
Photos: Thomas Elson (Saaremaa)
MUA: Gloria Oorg (Saaremaa)
Hair: Marina Väin (Muhu)
Assistant: Triinu Lepamaa (Hiiumaa)
On an island where the fierce winter waves attack the shores, winds blow across the bare coastal plains and time stops for what seems like many months, beauty still carries on – bright as ever in all the colours of the fashion, design, and handcraft.
While wandering around on Muhu in the footsteps of times past, blasted by cold winds on snowy meadows, a variety of designs by local and neighbouring island creators are worn.
Winter jacket: MOONSUND DESIGN; dress and trousers: NOLA
WINDMILL… lonely and silent. Remembering the gruelling power of the winds and longing to be as useful as it was in distant times. His time is over. Except the Tooma farm’s gantry windmill can be proud and happy. It gained new sails only a few years ago under the caring hands of the Muhu Museum.
Beautiful Muhu women Kadi and Marian work at Muhu Elementary School, but they don’t forget to take in faith and hope when walking on windy paths of the past from time to time.
Vest and gingham skirt: KÄTLI SAARKOPPEL (JUURPÄRIMUS); trousers: IKIGAI.
Yellow dress: MOONSUND DESIGN; earrings: TUUTSON & DAUGHTERS.
Fur hat: JANNE KOMMEL MUHU LAMBANAHATÖÖKODA.
SANCTUARY… You may hear the bells of the three churches ring on Muhu island. St Catherine’s Church in Liiva village stands out. Its beautiful proportions and brightness are eye-catching, no doubt about it. Time stands still in this sanctuary, enabling one to reflect.
White dress and trousers: NOLA; from the depths of a treasure chest: Muhu wedding hat and linen bird-embroidered Muhu slippers.
Red jumpsuit NOLA; earrings KAIA SAARNA (Pallopson design store).
SEA… surrounds our island, Muhu…. and we are all a captain in our own way. Captain of the sea, captain of our family…
Regardless of the season, we look longingly at the sea… Whether you are sitting on a bench at home or standing on the beautiful cliff at Üügu.
Muhu schoolteacher Kadi and her husband Kristjan bring a breath of fresh air to the island, while remaining respectful towards history, valuing the old and introducing ideas of the past at school and at home, as well as working at Mats and Lauri-Tõnis’ tourism farm.
Shirt, vest, jacket, and tie pants: GVIDO MENSWEAR; dress: MOONSUND DESIGN.
Kimono: Karolin Kärm KARM; trousers: IKIGAI; sweatshirt: MOONSTAR/MÖNN; hat: MÜTSIMINISTEERIUM.
FISHING BOAT… only yesterday happily bobbing through the bay towards home.
Indrek, a new resident of Muhu, who is descended from a family of sailors/liquor distributors from the neighbouring island, came to pay his respects to the old Tamara. In order to atone for the sins of his ancestors, Indrek now teaches the children of Muhu to sail and helps them develop a love the sea during the summer.
In Seanina, a former fishing industry area, only a decaying wharf and a hangar are left, battered by winds and time. However, hope remains… their time will come…
Perhaps one day we will see Annabel here, a graduate of an international maritime management programme, working hard in the future.
Striped suit, shirt, and hat: GVIDO MENSWEAR; Muhu vest for additional warmth.
Feather coat and knitwear: KARIN KREEK; earrings and bracelet: EGG Laura Saks (Pallopson design store); in addition, Muhu skirt and stockings.
MUHU FARM barn is full of secret treasures. Hidden deep in chests are Muhu people’s personal items, which are kept private and rarely shown to anyone: an angel-embroidered skirt hem, a pair of worn-out Muhu slippers, a great grandmother’s wedding hat.
In order to show off a little bit between the covers of this travel magazine and in front of our readers, sea-loving Annabel, and Karin, the activity manager of the Muhu retirement home, have recovered fabric from the depths of their treasure chests to sew into a skirt, colourful stockings, and gloves.
Woollen knitwear: HERTTA. Completed with hats from MÜTSIMINISTEERIUM and stockings and mittens with Muhu patterns from personal treasure chests.
Dress with cat image: LIIS LAANISTO; hat: MÜTSIMINISTEERIUM.
Green dress: PIRET LEMBER; skirt fabric: EELA SAAT.
WINTER… on the island may feel distant and uncertain. Let us introduce you to an island winter that is beautiful and crisp, ravishing and enticing.
You can enjoy more of the fashion inspired by Muhu patterns and traditions during the summer in Liiva village on Muhu.
Coats, gloves, and belt bags: TRIINU TRAUMANN BRAND; trousers with poppy pattern: MURU CRAFT; sweatshirts: MÖNNA (Moonstar); hats: MÜTSIMINISTEERIUM.
Coat and tulle skirt: MOONSUND DESIGN.