Background

The key themes of my life have been exploring creativity in textiles, combined with periods living and working in Africa, South Asia and the South Pacific.

After an early career as a lingerie designer, and 28 years in the developing world, I returned to the UK to take a BA in Textile Design specialising in weave at the Chelsea College of Art and Design (UAL). I subsequently developed a practice in textile conservation, and as a weaver/felt maker from my studio at Cockpit Arts.

Always keen to explore issues of sustainability and to expand my knowledge of textile processes, I returned to Chelsea to study for an MA specialising in European prehistoric textiles in particular weave and dyeing techniques.

This opened an opportunity for me to continue to research woad dyeing from a practitioner’s standpoint, and to develop my practice further; focusing on natural dyeing and evidence based prehistoric textile production processes.

Education

MA Textile Design Chelsea College of Art and Design (UAL), Critical Research Paper: Hera’s Skirt - Archaeology and Conservation inspire Sustainability in Modern Practice.

Parts 1 & 2 City and Guilds Adult Teachers Training Course, and Kensington & Chelsea Entrepreneurial Course (Distinction).

BA (Hons) Textile Design Chelsea College of Art and Design (UAL), Thesis: World Textile and Garment Development (The Fabric of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Uganda).

Originally trained at Nottingham College of Art and Design in fashion design, pattern drafting and grading, specialising in lingerie.

Professional History

Studio at Cockpit Arts: weave and felt accessories – scarves, shawls, bags, woven panels (commissions), and felted vessels using natural wools.
Felt making classes: Cockpit Arts.
Textile design courses in Adult Education: Art Experience, London.

Janie Lightfoot, Textile Conservation/Restoration Studio: conservator.

Rebecca Cole International Trend Book, Prevoir: woven designs.

Nepal: Association of Craft Producers (ACP), New SADLE, and SAATHI, training in textile production and design. Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu (sponsored by Nepal Carpet Industries), training in carpet production and design.

Swaziland: Rosecraft, product and textile design, training employees and assisting in the administration and general running of the business.

Bangladesh: Ideas International, NGO training in craft and garment development, pattern drafting, and production for the export market.

Bhutan: UNDP consultant to Bhutan advising on marketability of Bhutanese garments, workshops training in garment pattern construction.

Zambia: training programmes for school leavers and women in garment pattern drafting and related skills.

Tanzania: National Development Corporation, producing designs and patterns for fashion garments from local printed cotton cloth for export to Scandinavian markets.

Volunteering with various organisations, including the Red Cross and Cheshire Homes, in Barbados, Swaziland, Zambia and Bangladesh.

Early career as a lingerie designer: Peter Kirkland, Long Eaton, N Gotty and Company, Nottingham, and H M Marshall, Nottingham.

Exhibitions

Include: Biannual Arts and Crafts Fair (Burgh House), Cockpit Arts Biannual Open Studios, Colour Prediction Boards Cloth Show (Business Centre Islington), Contemporary Textiles Fair (Landmark Arts), Designer Crafts at the Mall, Future Map (London Institute), Handmade in Britain (Chelsea Town Hall), Havant Arts Centre, Lydd Library (Kent), New Designers (Business Centre Islington), Peugeot Design Awards (Oxo Tower), Selvedge Summer Fair (Chelsea Town Hall), and Venue Cymru (Llandudno). Also: Indigo Trade Fair (Paris), SARCDA Trade Fair (Johannesburg), and various exhibitions in Kathmandu (Nepal).

Entered 6th International Textile Competition Kyoto, invited to exhibit work in Biennale Internazionale Dell’Art Contemporanea Florence, selected for RSA Bursary Competition, Textprint and Swiss International Textile Competition.

Affiliations

Chelsea Arts Club - www.chelseaartsclub.com

Chelsea College of Art and Design (UAL) - www.arts.ac.uk/chelsea

Cockpit Arts - www.cockpitarts.com

Society of Designer Craftsmen - www.societyofdesignercraftsmen.org.uk

Worshipful Company of Woolmen - www.woolmen.com