The Still Waters project brings together designers, artists and makers whose work reflects the spirit of the place. The first Still Waters by Linen Tales collection was created in collaboration with fashion designer Morta Griškevičiūtė, who drew inspiration from Trakai and the rich heritage of its Karaim community. We spoke with Morta about her creative process, the stories woven into the collection, and how tradition can inspire something entirely new.
THE STORY BEHIND THE COLLECTION
Inside the creative journey of Still Waters by Linen Tales
| When you first heard about Still Waters, what kind of place did you imagine? | When I first heard about the project, I envisioned a place where guests would experience something more than just a retreat - a space to recharge, find inspiration and focus. The name Still Waters immediately evoked calm water, deep reflection and the symbolism that water carries. I hoped the visual design choices would become more than aesthetic elements, but an integral part of the experience itself. |
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| The collection draws inspiration from Karaite culture. How did you begin exploring this heritage, and what became the greatest source of inspiration for the collection? | This part was fascinating - immersing myself in the history of a little-known culture through books, museum visits, and explorations of Trakai and other places where Karaites have lived or still reside. However, I read far more than I actually utilized. While designing, I did not want to directly adopt specific motifs or ornaments—especially since it was not always clear what was created by the Karaites themselves versus what had been adopted from other cultures during their travels (they were avid collectors). Instead, I chose the motif of stripes, which appears frequently in their textiles. A specific rhythm and color palette from this source found their way into the Still Waters collection. | ||
| How do you find the balance between respecting tradition and creating something contemporary? | To me, respecting tradition does not mean simply repeating it. It begins with genuine curiosity - taking the time to understand it, and then allowing it to inspire new stories rather than reproducing old forms. |
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| What do you hope people will feel when they first touch the collection or stay in a room where it's used? | I hope the first impression is one of tranquility and naturalness. I would like the subtle references to Karaite culture and the context of Trakai to be discovered gradually as a quiet connection to the place. | ||
| If you had to describe the collection in just three words, what would they be - and why? | It was important to me to create textiles that would evoke an atmosphere of tranquility, slowness, and contemplation. |
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| What's something people probably won't notice at first, but that you hope they'll eventually discover? | One of the layers of the collection is rhythm. It was inspired by a story about the daily lives of the Trakai Karaim community - specifically, the morning walk to the castle and back. That repetitive movement struck me as a beautiful part of a daily ritual, which is why rhythm is echoed in the collection’s patterns. Karaim life has always been closely intertwined with the lake, the castle, and Karaimų Street - where "Still Waters" is located. |
STILL WATERS BY LINEN TALES