Exhibition & open studio: Margo Selby

25 July 2014 |
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Margo Selby‘All Square’ Textile Exhibition

The exhibition is being held throughout the week of the Whitstable Oyster Festival. The exhibition will be showcasing Margo Selby’s latest hand-woven pieces. Also on show will be some of their latest jacket and rug designs.

The work of guest artist Tracie Peisley will also be on view. Tracie has applied 30 years of fine art practice to making couture dresses, jackets and shirts. Describing them as ‘floral armour’, she collages a vibrant combination of vintage and designer fabrics to create art wear.

The private view drinks evening will be held in the exhibition space from 6pm-9pm on Wednesday 30th July. All visitors are welcome.

Dates: Saturday 26th July – Friday 1st August 2014

Times: 10am – 5pm

Address: Bradstowe House, 35 Middle Wall, Whitstable. Kent. CT5 1BJ
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Jessica Leigh Calvert: BCFA FR One Award

25 July 2014 |
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Jessica Leigh Calvert_ Textile DesignJessica Leigh Calvert was awarded the British Contract Furnishing Association One Award at New Designers in June 2014. She creates handwoven and digital fabrics for interior spaces.

Whilst studying for her BA (Hons) Textile Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design she was fascinated by architectural landscapes and texture where she explores these ideas, combining high contrasts within her work. Jessica’s portfolio features woven fabrics that emulate a glamorous and tactile feel. A sensual colour palette, varied textures and exquisite craftsmanship inform her distinctive style, she also experiments with weaving techniques both modern and traditional. Jessica’s collection’s are described as subtle, timelessly elegant yet evoke a contemporary edge.

IMG_8618Her final collection for her degree was entitled ‘Textured Disparity’ which takes its name and inspiration from a journey she took across Southern China. Within the collection she wanted to capture the elegance and bold presence of modern buildings and constructions juxtaposing the exquisite rural landscape. The collection is versatile and modern yet elegant; the fabrics emulate a rustic feel whilst adding a flourish of subtle glamourand also have a distance appeal and yet are detailed on closer inspection. The fabrics are an assortment of contrasting textures and patterns in a sophisticated palette with flickers of vibrant colour to fashion a strong statement. The textures and colour palette work effortlessly within an interior space.

The Judges commented that ‘We felt that Jessica’s colour was equally matched within an exceptional portfolio. We were impressed by the depth of research and transition of her vision into a commercial product.’

Jessica will have a four week internship with the design studio at FR One in Antwerp as the award prize.

Thank you to Jessica Calvert and New Designers for the photos and text.

Call for papers: craft & design enquiry journal

25 July 2014 |
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Photo- Carla van Lunn‘Global Parallels: Production and Craft in Fashion and Industrial Design Industries’

The craft + design enquiry  Editorial Board welcomes Tiziana Ferrero-Regis, Rafael Gomez and Kathleen Horton, from Queensland University of Technology, as the Guest Editors of c+de#8 with the theme of ‘Global Parallels: Production and Craft in Fashion and Industrial Design Industries’.
Contributors to c+de#8 are invited to submit Expressions of Interest for either the Themed Section or the Open Section by following the Steps to Submitting a Paper outlined below.

Expressions of Interest close on 30 April 2015. For contributors invited to submit papers, the deadline for full papers is 30 June 2015. c+de#8 will be published in mid-2016.

Open Section — call for papers
The Guest Editors and the c+de Editorial Board invite submissions to the Open Section exploring any aspect of contemporary craft and design. Expressions of Interest for the Open Section are assessed by the c+de Editorial Board. All invited submissions to the Open Section are peer reviewed and selected for publication in line with c+de procedures for the Themed Section.

Contributors to the Open Section of c+de#8 should follow the Steps to Submitting a Paper outlined below. Expressions of Interest close on 30 April 2015. For contributors invited to submit papers, the deadline for full papers is 30 June 2015.

Themed Section — call for papers:
‘Global Parallels: Production and Craft in Fashion and Industrial Design Industries’

Guest Edited by Tiziana Ferrero-Regis , Rafael Gomez and Kathleen Horton of Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. They write:

This special issue of c+de aims to explore questions of design and craft across fashion and industrial design industries in the current global context. In light of de-localisation of manufacturing practices and increasingly complex supply chains, the alternating place and meaning of ‘skills and craft’ in the context of these vast global industries, and the transformational role and status of the designer in a market that is equally flooded with fast fashion and disposable ‘on trend’ lifestyle products, we seek to examine how the two worlds of fashion and industrial design intersect in terms of production, craft and design.

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Profile: Yangzi Wang

25 July 2014 |
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yangzi Wang process s-1Materiality of Fear

Yangzi Wang is a surface textile and new material designer. She completed an MA Textile/Material Futures course at  Central Saint Martins having previously graduated from BA (Hons) Textile Design, specializing in weave and print.  Now she  experiments in different ways to combine several materials together with different hand made skills, discovering new ways to produce textile related products, challenge the limits of both handmade and machine-made.

She investigated how can people materialize attraction of fear through materials?

Fear is a natural survival mechanism, an instinctive response to a potential danger which is important for the survival of all species. Yangzi is  fascinated by peoples interest in and attraction toward fearful situations. She investigates why some people more prone than others to inducing a sense of fear?

In this project she  tried to engineer a fear attraction, embedding fear within physical materials. Incorporating textures, forms and patterns commonly associated with phobias and instinctive human fear, she aims to explore the fine line between fear and attraction. Her work aims to encompass a sense of fear but also be highly seductive and alluring.Yangzi Wang1

Her designs are aimed at the celebrity or performer who wants to attract people’s attention. She has used fashion garments as a platform for gauging a reaction. Fashion for her has long since been used as a testing ground for new ideas and a stage for future fantasy.

Yangzi is setting up a studio  in Hangzhou, China, for the purpose of teaching, experimentation and technical exchange, as well as design project collaboration.
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Woven Textile Design: Jan Shenton

23 July 2014 |
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Jan Shenton coverWoven Textile Design written by Jan Shenton and published by Laurence King Academics , offers a comprehensive introduction to weaving for all those wishing to design and produce a wide range of fabrics from scratch.

Starting with the basics of woven textile design, the book looks at how to draw up and interpret records and notation, before explaining how different types of cloth are constructed. From the most basic of plain weaves, through twill weaves, textured weaves such as seersucker, crepe and corded cloths to more complicated designs created with extra threads woven in, a wide range of patterns are covered. Illustrated throughout with diagrams, weaving plans and beautiful examples from contemporary designers, the book also includes tips on using different yarns and colours to create stunning and unique designs.

Offering clear, practical advice, this book shows you how to interpret your initial concepts and develop your ideas on the loom. The book is highly recommended and a must have for textile students and professionals. Contents include

Jan Shenton is a weaver whose designs are bought by manufacturers and design houses in America, Canada, Europe and Japan. Her clients are high profile companies and include Louis Vuitton, Donna Karan, Polo Ralph Lauren, Etro, Weave Corporation, American Pacific, Cone Jacquards, Custo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Diane von Furstenberg, Etincelle Couture and Lululemon. She is a lecturer in woven textiles at Loughborough University. Continue reading →

Amy Gair: The Worshipful Company of Weavers Associate Prize

22 July 2014 |
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Amy Gair Woven Samples 2The Worshipful Company of Weavers Associate Prize was won by Amy Gair at New Designers exhibition in London.

Amy is from Shetland and studied a BA in Contemporary Textiles at the University of Highlands and Islands, before she progressed onto Heriot Watt’s School of Textiles and Design to complete her honours year in a BA(Hons) in Design for textiles, specialising in weave.

She graduated from Heriot Watt in June 2014 with First Class honours and won The Incorporation of Bonnetmakers and Dyers of Glasgow Prize at  her graduation for her  ‘Industrial North’ collection of dobby and jacquard woven fabrics.
Amy Gair_ New Designers copyright

Her ‘Industrial North’ Collection was focussed on Shetland and its northern identity as a remote Scottish Island. As the island is located half way between the Scottish Mainland and Norway, there are some Scandinavian influences  which ideas she  have tried to incorporate too. The collection brings together Shetland, Scandinavian design influences and traditional Scottish woven fabric qualities such as twills, herringbones and checks. She used a combination of wool, merino, lambs wool and also some Shetland wool too.

She  used her own photography and mixed media artworks to create ideas for translating into weaving which are a crucial part to her design process.Amy Gair - Sketchbook 2Amy is about to embark on a Masters in Textiles and Fashion at Glasgow School of Art and aims to work  in the UK textiles industry after graduating from this course. She eventually would like to set up her own textile label back in Shetland.

 

 

 

 

 

Website: www.brownsroadtextiles.com

Twitter: @brownsroad
Blog: amygair.wordpress.com

The Worshipful Company of Weavers

 

Photography of award event: copyright New Designers 2014.
Other photography and text: Amy Gair 2014
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Courses: Devon Weavers Workshop

22 July 2014 |
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DWW courseDevon Weavers Workshop run courses for intermediate and experienced weavers, at their well equipped workshop in Totnes, Devon . The workshop has a dobby loom, a computer loom, several floor looms and Louet table looms. The Tutors are professional British weavers and visitors from America who run 3 to 4 day workshops to share their particular expertise. The Workshop would like to be able to offer places on these courses to other weavers.

Barbara Walker, from Oregon, USA, is booked to teach at Devon Weavers Workshop in October 2014. Barbara is an multi-talented, award-winning weaver, a regular contributor to Handwoven magazine, www.weavezine.com and many other publications.

Barbara is an experienced and excellent teacher and welcomes a broad spectrum of weaving ability in her classes. This is a rare opportunity to broaden weaving skills and learn from a true master. The courses will be run as ‘round robins’ and full warping instructions will be given well ahead of each course. There are plenty of weavers in DWW willing to help those who need it to warp up their looms. You will have with a lovely selection of samples for your records from whichever course you choose.

Course 1: Warp  Patterning
Dates: 21 – 23 Oct 2014
Price: £195.00 non members
Deposit: £50.00, final balance 21st September 2014

This three-day, round-robin workshop for intermediate and advanced weavers covers turned drafts and a wide range of supplementary warp applications. It proves that two warps are definitely better than one. Why confine yourself to only one warp? The use of two or more warps opens up new and exciting opportunities for adding pattern to cloth. After learning to dress a loom with more than one warp you will explore many patterning techniques, most of which require only one shuttle. Sample weaving includes turned drafts, large-scale patterns, small-scale motifs, loom-controlled embellishments, and combining warp and weft patterning.
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Looms for hire: Birmingham

16 July 2014 |
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loom_flyer2Situated in the converted Old Print Works on the outskirts of Birmingham City Centre, the looms were rescued in pieces from a local further education college that was downsizing its textiles department and a small dedicated group of Weavers and helpers have restored the looms back to working order.  The looms are available to hire, there is one novice weaver who can give basic assistance in warping and tieing on and 2 experienced weavers/weave graduates who could be available on advanced notice. Ideally weavers who hire the facility need to be competent to work on their own but do contact to discuss any requirements to see if they can be accomadated.

For further information about the Works and its location visit: www.oldprintworks.org


Job: Woven Studio

1 July 2014 |
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Woven studio photoWoven Studio is looking for a new designer. The job involves hand weaving at a very high level for the designer end of the market. Applicants should have technical skills and also have some jacquard weaving skills as the role will involve working on the fashion collection for Vanners Mill and developing fabrics with our clients.

Applicants must have a thorough knowledge of photoshop and understand how to put designs into repeat. There will be some travel to Europe and also USA so a confident manner in dealing with our customers is required. The Studio is based in Bethnal Green, London.

Woven Studio is looking for a designer with a few years experience already in the woven industry, but would consider graduates who have experience from working as interns within the industry whilst studying.

July 15th 2014: This post has now been filled, please do not send any more applications. 

Symposium: Beyond The Blue

11 June 2014 |
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Beyond_the_blue_A2 pdf_final low res

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond The Blue: WOAD From Field to Fashion

The University of Brighton presents a one-day European based symposium and fashion show investigating the neglected story of the history, present and future of natural woad from field to fashion.

Date :Friday 13th June 2014
Venue :The Old Courthouse, Museum of Brighton
Time:10am to 5pm
Admission: Free
Reserve a place

WOAD. Once, a hugely successful and important basic commercial product of the European textile industry throughout the Middle Ages and on through the 19th century, the dye from this plant was the basis of a long and fruitful trade between Britain and Northern France.

This plant now reunites our regions again. The University of Brighton presents a symposium delivered by British and French scholars which will examine the demise and eventual replacement of Woad growing, due to large-scale importation of indigo from China, India and the West Indies. A further theme, presented by today’s growers, designers and makers set against current concerns over issues of sustainability, will assess the possibilities of the use of this brilliant blue natural dye within today’s international fashion and textiles industries.

This French/English bi-lingual conference is closely linked to the University of Brighton fashion show ‘Beyond Blue’ which will showcase their fashion and textile students’ garments created from fabric that has been woven, knitted or digitally printed based on a Woad colour palette. There will also be a static exhibition of work created by sculpture students from the Université of Picardie incorporating printed textile designs by students from the University of Brighton. The fashion show and exhibition will take place at St Bartholomew’s Church on the evening of Friday 13th June 2014 at 6pm.

Partners in the ‘Out of the Blue Waide Project’ are: ‘Amiens Metropole, Musée de Picardie, Amiens Metropole Libraries, ‘Maison de la Culture’ in Amiens, University of Brighton, Royal Pavilion and Museums, Brighton & Hove, Care
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