Research Network University of the Arts London (RNUAL)

Measuring where we are...


All first year PhD research students at the University of the Arts, London present their research at the end of their first year. We have to perform a 15 minute presentation followed by a 10 minute question and answer session to communicate our research and development. This provides us with an opportunity to introduce our research and source feedback from a multidisciplinary audience.

On Monday both Jane Scott and I presented our research. I found preparing the presentation a valuable exercise as it allowed me to reflect on my practice and research. Where does it sit within a fashion context? What are my future directions? How do I communicate my work? The questions and feedback identified new and current issues that require further consideration as we move our research forward through both theory and practice.

Its been hugely beneficial listening our my peers present...Connections can be made relating to their approach or process. We possibly sit within different research disciplines but are we applying a similar method or documenting our results in a similar format? I have found the presentation to be a valuable exercise and I am looking forward to watching the remaining presentations this week.

Do you see a future career in design research?

You are welcome to catch a glimpse on our current research during this Textile Futures Research Group event organized on the 7th of July 2009 at the Innovation Centre.

MA Textile Futures Degree Show 09

We can't wait to discover the work of cutting-edge textile designers addressing the future of the discipline during the MA Textile Futures Degree Show at Central St Martins, School of Art and Design, London. They are currently building the show but it already sounds promising.

SHOW Dates: Saturday 20 - Thursday 25 June (closed Sunday 21 June)

Times: 12-8pm (except Saturday 20 June closes at 6pm)

Venue: Southampton Row Site, Holborn, WC1B 4AP (entrance off Theobalds Road)

Textile Futures by Bradley Quinn

Berg is about to publish this new book by Bradley Quinn, it sounds like the next textile futures bible. To check out in february 2010 ...

Textile Futures Fashion, Design and Technology Bradley Quinn

Textiles connect a variety of practices and traditions, ranging from the refined couture garments of Parisian fashion to the high-tech filaments strong enough to hoist a satellite into space. High-performance fabrics are being reconceived as immersive webs, structural networks and information exchanges, and their ability to interface with technology is changing how the human body is experienced and how the urban environment is built. Today, textiles reveal their capacity to transform our world more than any other material.

Textile Futures highlights recent works from key practitioners and examines the changing role of textiles. Recent developments present new technical possibilities that are beginning to redefine textiles as a uniquely multidisciplinary field of innovation and research. This book is an important tool for any textile practitioner, fashion designer, architect, interior designer or student designer interested in following new developments in the field of textiles, seeking new sustainable sources, or just eager to discover new works that reveal the potency of textiles as an ultramaterial.

More details here

In the loop : knitting past, present and future

Nostalgia & Renewal Symposia

Two linked study days are planned at the Winchester School of Art, England and the Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland around the themes of nostalgia, followed by renewal, in June and July. The two events are inspired, in part, by the three-day conference In the Loop, held in the summer of 2008, which explored contemporaryknitting practice from a number of disciplinary perspectives. The experience of organising In the Loop led us to the theme of nostalgia, an inevitable but complex contributor to the surge of popularity that knitting is currently enjoying. Keen to break the conventional pattern of conferences, two smaller events of a more experimental nature – nostalgia & renewal – are now on the calendar.

June 26 @ Textile Conservation Centre, Winchester (nostalgia)For bookings please contact Judith Horgan 02380 596986 / J.A.Horgan@soton.ac.uk

July 24 @ Edinburgh College of Art (renewal)For bookings please contact Jessica Hemmings 0131 221 6199 / j.hemmings@eca.ac.ukCost £35 per day includes lunch. Concessions available £20 per day.

All the details available at In the loop website.

Slow Textiles Workshop

I recently attended a "Slow Textiles" workshop by Dr Emma Neuberg. 

I arrived with an embroidery hoop in hand at a lovely studio space in West London. Emma introduced Chinese Floral Embroidery and showed us some images to introduce the theme and provide inspiration. 

An intro to the historical context gave me a greater sense of purpose and I began to associate a deeper symbolic association with the craft and process. After being introduced to satin stitch I attempted to apply the technique to upcycle some fabric. It was great being in a nurtured environment to sew collectively. There was lots of discussion around slow textiles, symbolism and sustainable thinking.

All participants were encouraged to bring a garment or piece of cloth with them for discussion and I really enjoyed this part. Some vintage clothing was used and each piece had a story or detail which reflected something special. 

I left feeling inspired and continued to sew all weekend. I loved working within a shared space and it sparks all kinds of conversations. I think this is a great way to share knowledge, skills and expertise in an interactive way.

Dr Neuberg will be continuing a series of workshops and forming the slow textile group, visit her blog for more information.

http://www.slowtextiles.blogspot.com/

Digital Textile Design

I have just received a new book from amazon: Digital Textile Design by Melanie Bowles. 

This book is beautifully illustrated showcasing students from Chelsea College of Art & Designs work. It provides expert knowledge and "know how" with detailed instructions for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I loved how there is a balance between the process and the practice as it presents a sense of how each technique can be applied.

Being from a Constructed Textile background I think this will be a great tool for my practice and research. I can't wait to work through some of the methods!

Digital Textile design demonstrates how printed textile design is evolving through new technology and would be a great tool for designers, students and lecturers. There is a blog launched for the book with further details and examples...

Grass Roots Event

Grass Roots was an event organised for postgraduate students from Chelsea, Camberwell and Wimbledon. The two day site specific project was based at Crystal Palace on subjects around being and making. 

I attended with Clara from TED and several Chelsea MA students. We organised a fashion workshop called "Closet Confidential". Our workshop introduced the concept of emotionally durable design to the participants. We then asked each to select a piece of clothing that they were wearing and answer three questions:

1. Where did they acquire it?

2. What do they like about it?

3. How do they care for it?

The workshop was really engaging and I loved hearing every ones fashion stories. Some pieces of clothing were mended, some were found and reclaimed, others represented special memories... Everyone really cared about each item they talked about and would seek ways to "make do and mend" if they had the know how.

The event hosted a whole range of workshops and activities around climate change through being and making. We picked herbs and flowers within Crystal Palace and then brewed our own tea with a little help and guidance from the Tea Bike... The day closed with a chat from a speaker from Climate Camp who talked about lots of different ways to get involved.