For those of us who spend our days bringing history to life with needle and thread, few experiences are as thrilling as working on a piece that carries centuries of artistry in its stitches.
In April 2026, at our Barcelona retreat, Zina Kazban will guide embroiderers through an extraordinary project: recreating a rare seventeenth-century fan from the collection of Manuel Rocamora Vidal (1892–1976).
Manuel Rocamora: The Collector Behind the Fan
Rocamora was a passionate collector whose dedication preserved hundreds of treasures for the city he loved. Born into a wealthy family in Barcelona, he had the freedom to devote his life to art, writing, painting, and above all, collecting.
From the age of eighteen, he amassed what would become one of Spain’s most important collections of historic dress and accessories, with a particular love for fans, which he considered the most expressive of all feminine accessories.
In his 1956 book, Abanicos históricos y anecdóticos, he wrote:
“Ningún accesorio ha igualado al abanico en fantasía y espiritualidad.”
(No accessory has equalled the fan in fantasy and spirituality.)
His collection included 236 fans ranging from the seventeenth century to the early twentieth, with two exceptionally rare rigid fans from the 1600s — one of which forms the centrepiece of our embroidery project.
Constructed from silk-covered card, embroidered in coloured threads, decorated with lace and velvet, and mounted on wood, this fan’s rarity lies not only in its age but in the survival of its delicate materials.
From Rocamora’s Cabinet to the Museum
By the 1960s, Rocamora’s home could no longer contain his collection. In 1969, he generously donated more than 4,000 objects, including this fan, to Barcelona Town Hall, forming the basis of the Design Hub's celebrated textile and dress holdings. This donation ensured the preservation of these treasures for future generations.
A Life Intertwined with Culture
Rocamora’s influence extended beyond collecting. He moved among musicians, writers, and artists, creating a vibrant cultural hub in his home. As he once said:
“Quiero que mis vestidos vayan y vengan, sean vistos y comentados. No concibo a un coleccionista que guarde su colección únicamente para sí.”
(I want my dresses to circulate, to be seen and discussed. I cannot conceive of a collector who keeps their collection only for themselves.)
Bringing History to Life
Under Zina’s expert guidance, participants will explore the delicate stitches, textures, and colours that once adorned this seventeenth-century fan.
Every stitch connects the maker to a remarkable chain of history: from the anonymous embroiderer who crafted it, to Rocamora who safeguarded it, to the museum that preserves it, and now to your own hands.
This project is not only an opportunity to recreate exquisite historical embroidery but also a chance to touch the legacy of a collector who believed in sharing and celebrating history.
