kat Smith
Textiles Design Innovation MA
Nottingham Trent University
Graduates: 2026
Specialisms: Textiles - Print / Textiles for Fashion / Textiles for Interiors
My location: London, United Kingdom
kat Smith
First Name: kat
Last Name: Smith
University / College: Nottingham Trent University
Course / Program: Textiles Design Innovation MA
Graduates: 2026
Specialisms: Textiles - Print / Textiles for Fashion / Textiles for Interiors
My Location: London, United Kingdom
Website: Click To See Website
About
I am currently studying an MA in Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University, having previously graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in Fashion Textiles and Design from Middlesex University. My practice drifts between reality and imagination, using textiles to explore hidden inner worlds shaped by mental health, memory and daydreams. Drawing from personal experience, particularly anxiety and maladaptive daydreaming, my work gives form to internal narratives that often go unseen. Through layered materials, delicate processes and symbolic detail, I translate emotion into something tangible, turning quiet thoughts into textile-led stories.
BA Collection This collection explores the concept of maladaptive daydreaming—a psychological phenomenon where individuals engage in excessive daydreaming as a means of escaping stress, boredom, or difficult situations. For many, this form of escapism becomes uncontrollable, often leading to the neglect of real-world responsibilities. It is frequently likened to addiction, offering temporary relief from the pain and challenges of everyday life. Central to this experience is the idea of a "safe zone": a mental space where nothing can cause harm or emotional distress. Within this space, daydreams take on a protective, almost therapeutic quality, transforming abstract thoughts into something tangible. Through the medium of art, these internal experiences are externalised, translating complex emotional states into visual forms that reveal both fantasy and raw reality. The juxtaposition of grunge aesthetics with predominantly white fabrics emphasises this contrast. Grunge elements symbolise the darker, more chaotic sides of daydreaming and emotional pain, while the white fabrics evoke purity and mental clarity, suggesting the possibility of release and renewal. Ultimately, the collection seeks to capture the tension between reality and fantasy, offering a visual narrative that resonates with those who experience daydreaming as both sanctuary and struggle.