For our latest exploration, we found ourselves returning to a specific piece of cinematic history- Fritz Lang’s 1927 Metropolis.
The reason for this timing? The film was famously set in the year 2026. It felt like the perfect, serendipitous moment to bring this century-old vision of the future into the physical present. We’ve always loved the film for its narrative, but we are equally obsessed with its bold poster design. To us, it’s the ultimate blueprint for Art Deco.
The Art Deco Artwork
Designed by Heinz Schulz-Neudamm, the artwork is a pure masterpiece of German Expressionism. It’s also incredibly rare- there are only four known copies in existence, one of which famously fetched $1.2 million at auction.
But beyond the rarity, we remained captivated by the graphic tension of the design: the Maschinenmensch (the robot Maria) placed at the center with blank, staring eyes. Framed by those soaring, sharp-edged skyscrapers and that distinctive Art Deco lettering.
We wanted to explore how we could translate that cold, iconic imagery into a language we speak best- hand-embroidery.
The Texture Debate:
There was a moment where we considered staying strictly true to the ‘paper’ feel of the original. All matte. But the more we lived with the design, the more we were drawn to the idea of a ‘material contradiction.’
We crafted the robot entirely in threads to capture every minute detail- every shade, every gradient, and that signature blank stare.
But for the backdrop- we crafted the cold, oppressive skyscrapers with sparkly beads and bold bugles. And the Metropolis name itself is crafted with raffia with a raised, padded effect.
Mixing these textures and materials gives the piece a certain depth, a deliberate attempt to bring the dystopian essence of the film to life.
Crafting in the Archive:
Early on, we realized that a pristine recreation would never capture the soul of a century-old icon; we needed to bridge the gap between the original graphic and the ‘age’ it would carry today.
This meant meticulously engineering ‘tears’ and ‘folds’ into the design to make the embroidery feel like a found object. We wanted the piece to look as if it had lived a real life before landing in the studio—a true collector’s item that carries the weight of its own history.
Ultimately, this wasn’t just about a poster; it was about creating a piece of art designed to transform a room.
Art to Transform a Space
Ultimately, this wasn’t just about recreating a poster; it was about creating a piece of art designed to transform the energy of a room.
Seeing the final piece come off the frame felt like watching a 1927 memory become a reality.
Ricamour is a bespoke embroidery and embellishment studio based in Mumbai, India. We work alongside designers- inspiring, interpreting and bringing their vision to life.
Together, we continue to expand the language of embroidery as design across fashion, costume, art, and interiors.
To explore your ideas, email us at info@ricamour.com or message us on WhatsApp.
Also see how we brought the iconic Moulin Rouge costume back to life!
