Arts Thread

A textile-based luxury fabric outcome that is nature-derived to address the environmental impact of the fashion and textiles industry, working locally and carbon neutrally using sustainable textile processes from fabric waste. Luxury fabrics and clothing rarely have an environmental lifecycle of; natural fibres, no use of chemical dyes, locally and fairly sourced materials and consideration of waste materials. During COVID-19, the question of what we define as luxury and what is essential became prominent. It was also a time when most industries paused and thus an opportunity to try to do things differently. In textiles and fashion, beginning with resourcing and production. Working locally reinforces the practice of working carbon neutrally, with less access to machinery and resources, it has been an opportunity to work innovatively with the craftsmanship and sustainable textile processes. My visual research and influences are drawn from wild mushrooms found locally, I used natural fibred fabric waste, natural dyes and handcraft techniques. The use of domestic craft techniques such as patchwork and decorative mending stitches utilise the fabric waste. I have used copper mordant from found rusted nails, wild mushroom natural dye and subtle fabric manipulation techniques to bring a new life and potential to waste fabric.