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What led you to textile design?
I started crocheting in College as a way to add texture to my fashion designs (as originally I wanted to do Fashion at University) and I fell in love with the technique and fabrics created. When I did a tour of my University before applying, I was so amazed by all the facilities and workshops and it made me feel so excited and full of ideas of what I could make. I started to gain an interest in making the fabrics, which I would then take into Fashion designs.
“After many hand drawings, I made repeat patterns of cubes and lampposts to translate into knit.“
Your studies at Buckinghamshire New University also included your own studio space and access to industry-standard textile design workshops. Which technique has stayed with you since your time at university?
My studio space was so special to me, it truly gave me the ability to explore all my creative avenues. Having workshops on the knitting machines, both Domestic and Dubied were my favourites. I got my own knit machine just before my final year and all the techniques from double bed ribbing to racking to lace have stayed with me and I still go back to all my technical files to gain inspiration for newer projects.
One of your inspirations is Italian architecture. What exactly did you translate from this into a textile version?
I was in awe of the stone carving, colours and patterns found in Milan, Venice and Lake Como, I was constantly taking photos. The brief for this project was minimalism, so my colour palette was limited to the shades of one colour, leading to my main focus being the patterns and textures. This was the first project I was able to explore the Stoll Knit machine, so after many hand drawings, I made repeat patterns of cubes and lampposts to translate into knit. I wanted this collection to be full of texture, so I also focused a lot on crochet, using a mix of thick and thin yarns to add depth. To finish off this collection I embellished a few pieces with mini gold hoops, beads and pearl-look beads as a way to reflect a bit of light onto my fabrics.
What do you want to change with your creative work?
“I want to help people see the beauty in the world around them, to look up more and really take in what is happening, rather than being glued to a screen all day.“
You exhibited your work in the ‘New Talent Area’ of Heimtextil this year. Did you take an idea or inspiration from this time that you would like to pursue further?
I was so inspired by all the designers and brands also displaying at Heimtextil, it was such an incredible experience. My main inspiration from this time came from the architecture around Frankfurt, as usual I took so many photographs and I cannot wait to start translating these into knitted pieces.
In which area of the industry would you like to work later on?
I have two areas that I want to explore in this industry, one being knitwear of course and my long term goal is to be a knit designer, whether for fashion or interiors, but during my recent project of ‘details invisibles‘ I have fallen in love with print design and I currently have such a drive to take this further and see how I can expand within this world of textile design.
Cover photo: ‘Italian Architecture‘: Jacquard. Photo: Izabelle Francis
