Area of research for the past 20 years has been focused around sustainability. Exploring through theory and practice the question of how to work as a commercial textile designer in a sustainable manner.
I have over the years facilitated many workshops exploring hand stitching and discussion. I enjoy working with a wide variety of ages and skills. I like to encourage the audience to simply try with the importance on enjoyment. The mending and repair aspect is a secondary aspect of the workshop.
Influences
I am enjoying the added bonus stitching has with regards to good mental health:
Related projects
Edinburgh Climate Festival 2019: Personalised mending workshops held in The Meadows Edinburgh during the Climate change festival on the 6th July 2019.
During Fashion Revolution week April 2019 I ran a public engagement workshop highlighting the effect fast fashion has on communities and the environment. During the workshops discussions were had and mending techniques were explored as possible alternatives to the buying and throwing away of fashion garments.
Public paid event at the V&A Dundee in which my film was shown and I was an invited panellist.
Academic research papers for PLATE, 2015, 2017, 2019
Future research workshops:
- #100daysprojectscotland2019 work will be exhibited in Edinburgh in October 2019
- Designing for and with garment repair: an exploration of future possibilities. Durrani, Marium(a), Niinimäki, Kirsi(a), McLauchlan, Shirley(b) a) Aalto University, Espoo, Finland) Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Accepted September 2019. | Find out more >
- Workshop Research visit: October 2019: Sustainable Fashion Research Project at Donghua University, Shanghai.