Kathryn is inspired by colour, texture and pattern within nature and uses these influences to give artistic expression to her woven textile designs.
Final Project
DISABILITY VISIBILITY
My final project focusses on luxury handwoven cloth created for adaptive fashion and produced entirely from high quality silk, wool and viscose.
My inspiration is derived from my friend, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She regards fashion, particularly colourful garments, as allowing for expression of her disabled identity and enables positive dialogue surrounding disability. The aesthetic of the handwoven cloth is inspired by the colours and textures of the parklands where my friend enjoys spending time.
This collection of handwoven fabric highlights the importance of inclusivity in fashion by considering the potential wearer’s individuality. It also considers the significance of using luxury materials, that are soft and high quality, alongside functional details such as Velcro and magnetic fastenings to create easy to wear apparel.
Dress with Adaptive Fastenings
Image of dress handwoven from hand dyed spun viscose and silk. This cloth is combined with a four-shaft cloth woven from raw silk and deadstock organic cotton.
Detail of Dress
Detail of Velcro fastening on the handwoven silk waistband.
George Wood Dobby Loom
Kathryn is shown working on the 16 shaft Dobby loom in the weave shed at Loughborough University.
Raw Silk and Alpaca Handwoven Shawl
Details of a handwoven raw silk shawl that has been created by using a hand painted warp and extra inlays of alpaca bio wool.
Double Cloth Woven Structure
This image showcases the pockets in this 16 shaft structure that are filled with alpaca fleece. This block structure is ideal for use as fabric for outwear as it can be insulated with additional fibre, such as fleece.
Awards
- 2023 Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)
- 2019 Loughborough University John Mack Foundation Award
- 2019 Loughborough University Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Work Experience
Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire
National Trust Textiles Conservation Studio, Blickling, Norfolk
Calke Abbey, National Trust, Derbyshire
Fearon Hall, Loughborough, Leicestershire
Hope House Costume Museum, Ashbourne, Derbyshire
I also have 30 years experience working in the civil service and local government.
Visionary Thinkers
Visionary Creators
Visionary Makers