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Dzintra Grinbergs, Maija, Paula and Lija Kellett, Upper Heaton, 1995

Dzintra, a second generation Latvian in Bradford, and her daughters Maija, Paula and Lijain in traditional Latvian costumes.

Dzintra’s skirt is made of wool and was dyed and woven by her mother, with unique turquoise embroidery. The skirt originates from a region called Vidzeme, this isn’t where her family are from, however it was the first skirt her mother made and due to the traditional stripes it was easy to weave.

Maija, Paula and Lija’s costumes are from the region of Zemgale, in southwest Latvia. Their skirts and blouses were woven and embroidered by Laima Grinbergs (Dzintra’s mother) and Karlis Grinbergs made the belts that adorn their costumes. The headdress worn by Dzintra is a married womens headdress, the flower crowns were woven in wool by Dzintra and are worn by unmarried women.

Courtesy of Dzintra Grinbergs