My background is in fashion textiles but I also have an interest in textiles for space and fine art. Research is incredibly important to me and I draw inspiration from culture, technology, nature, beauty and craft. I am inspired by highly skilled, craft based textiles and also by intelligent future textiles. I am interested in how the two areas can be combined to create innovative beautiful work.
I have produced printed and stitched textiles for my own womenswear fashion label that was stocked in Liberty’s and Selfridges. I have also designed textiles for an ethical fashion label, Alexander McQueen, Alber Elbaz, and currently design digital printed textiles for a Textile agent.
I am the author of “The fundamentals of Fashion” and “Textiles and Fashion” for Bloomsbury publishing. They are student led books covering all areas of textile design for fashion. My latest book “Fashion Knitwear” by Laurence King is due to be published in March 2014. It showcases the top 40 global contemporary and innovative fashion knitwear designers.
I have a BA in Fashion and Textiles with business studies, from the University of Brighton (studying knit, print and weave) an MA in Fashion from the Royal College of Art (specializing in womenswear and print.) and a PGcert in education from the University of the Arts.
I have 12 years lecturing experience in fashion, printed textiles, embroidery and knit. I was the senior lecturer and pathway leader of fashion textiles on the Fashion BA at Ravensbourne College and Senior lecturer on the Fashion BA at Middlesex University. I have also been a visiting lecturer on the Fashion BA at The University of Brighton and Fashion MA at the University of Kingston.
