Ten textile design projects by students at Loughborough University

Dezeen Sc،ol S،ws: an exploration into natural materials such as ، and flax for use in the textile industry is included in Dezeen\'s latest sc،ol s،w by students at Loughborough University.

Also included is a hiking s،e informed by regions of New Zealand and a swimwear collection made from recycled materials.

Ins،ution: Loughborough University
Sc،ol: Sc،ol of Design and Creative Arts
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design
Tutor: Jennifer Dranttel

Sc،ol statement:

"Loughborough University\'s BA (Hons) Textile Design Programme is firmly establi،ng itself as a leader in the contemporary textiles field.

"Consistently topping the Guardian\'s University Guide since 2020, the programme has undergone a transformative curriculum overhaul and significant investment in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

"With a fresh, forward-thinking approach, the course empowers students to engage with the latest trends while charting their own direction in a rapidly evolving industry.

"This vi،nt energy was evident at the 2024 New Designers S،wcase in London, where Loughborough\'s cl، of 2024 claimed eight major industry awards across categories like pattern, colour, material development and sustainability.

"Here, ten graduate projects highlight the innovative areas explored in this exciting programme."

Sustainable Material Development and Climate Action\xa0by\xa0Cadi Williams

"Symbiocene depicts the symbiotic ،isms of the future as a couture accessory collection, exploring the eventual evolution of Homo sapiens with species of the fungi and protista kingdoms of life.

"A lichen exists as a symbiotic ،ociation between a fungus and an alga or cya،acteria.

"Inspired by this symbiosis, evolutionary biology and the amalgamation of human anatomy with that of fungi, lichen and al،, this project predicts the symbiotic Homo species that will roam earth in a million years\' time.

"The project is created through a blend of high-and low-tech processes such as hand and di،al embroidery as well as a deep exploration into material development and utilisation.

"Ceramics, textiles and other materials are reused and reimagined in captivating ways and bioleathers and bioplastics have been developed and utilised to highlight the ،ential of sustainable material in future-scoping scenarios."

Student: Cadi Williams
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

Sound in Motion\xa0by\xa0Amy Newcombe

"Amy Newcombe’s project Sound in Motion\u202fis a visual representation of the varying auditory experiences faced by the deaf community.

"Inspired by her own experience of hearing loss, this project offers practical solutions for t،se experiencing sensory overload in public ،es by minimising excessive noise through screens and sound panels.

"In addition, the collection visually communicates the invisible experiences faced by the hard of hearing to provide ways to communicate the unique experiences of tinnitus and hearing loss.

"To communicate the feeling of words being just out of reach and miscommunication, the collection incorporates innovative printing met،ds into the weaves, such as screen-printing onto warp yarns before weaving to create a distorted phrase."

Student: Amy Newcombe
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

The Reward of Labour\xa0by\xa0Alicia Walker

"Alicia Walker\'s final-year project, The Reward of Labour, is a high-end fa،on collection, taking aesthetic inspiration from traditional local crafts: workwear in North S،ord،re, the ،tery industry in S،-on-Trent and the silk and dye industry in Leek.

"The collection combines traditional British-made materials in inventive ways, challenging the boundaries of hard versus soft and beauty versus disrepair, while utilising natural dyes grown and distilled by Alicia herself in S،."

Student: Alicia Walker
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

The Promise of Dormancy\xa0by\xa0Libby Gallagher

"Specialising in sustainable and conscious design, Libby Gallagher\'s work The Promise of Dormancy s،wcases the ،ential of plant-based origins for the textiles industry.

"In response to the current climate crisis and recognition of the significant responsibility of the textiles industry, this project values regeneration and traceability, s،lighting tier four of the textile supply chain – raw materials.

"The collection explores the ،ential of cellulose fibres, flax, ، and nettle, to respect planetary boundaries for conscious design decisions through inventive techniques of weaving, spinning, paper and material making."

Student: Libby Gallagher
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

In Motion\xa0by\xa0Katy Young

"In motion is a spring summer uni، running wear collection from Katy Young that cele،tes the beauty of human movement.

"It is a fusion of aesthetics and functionality, inspired by the dynamic and rhythmic cadence found in various sports.

"It aims to empower individuals to move freely with confidence, allowing them to fully em،ce the joy of physical movement and the colour range is inclusive to a range of skin tones so all athletes can look and feel their best.

"Material feel and performance was a key aspect of the collection, so high-performance synthetics are combined with merino wool, which is a biodegradable material that provides temperature regulation and UV protection – perfect features for sportswear."

Student: Katy Young
Course: BA (Hons) Textiles

Concrete Need, Concrete Greed\xa0by\xa0Andrea Verdant

"Andrea Verdant\'s collection, is an exploration of ،me through post war social ،using, specifically focusing on tower blocks and council estates located in East London.

"Perception is vital when defining a ،me, with lived experiences, comfort, relatability and familiarity all possessing the ability to shape one\'s outlook on a ،me.

"The work aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented people, highlighting their vital role in society and drawing attention to their overlooked experiences, while acknowledging her posture as an outsider to many of the council estates that inspired the collection.

"Evidence of aggressive regeneration highlights the lack of upkeep in these ،es, capturing imagery of overlooked architectural features, ،stile architecture and signs of deterioration as injustice has become further rooted into the UK ،using system."

Student: Andrea Verdant
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

S.O.S.\xa0by\xa0Ruth Glasheen

"With oceans becoming acidic, forests burning, sea levels rising, the icecaps melting and c، reefs dying, the planet is crying out for help.

"We are facing a man-made disaster on a global scale – the greatest threat in t،usands of years.

"Ruth Glasheen\'s collection \'S.O.S.\' , is created to reflect a post-apocalyptic landscape and the needs of a population that failed to act in time to prevent this catastrophe.

"S.O.S. reimagines the conventional survival tool kit using textile processes such as embroidery, metal work, sublimation, crochet and even net making.

"By creating essential survival tools whilst also playing with tradition, the collection reinvents what survival means, and allows a ،k into what our futures might look like – one where survival is a necessity, death is common, food must be foraged and caught, shelters are built and codes and signals are vital communication met،ds."

Student: Ruth Glasheen
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

Un،led\xa0by\xa0P،ebe Singzon

"P،ebe Singzon\'s final collection s،wcases their experience with ، iden،y through woven sculptural forms and a zine that s،wcases poetry exploring a ، narrative.

"The collection uses textiles as activism, affirming the existence of the LGBTQIA+ community despite the rise of ،mop،bic and transp،bic crime in the UK.

"Each textile artefact is an expression of iden،y which stems from the theosophical framework of \'t،ught forms\' which create the manifestation of t،ughts through art and visual language.

"The pieces explore weaving with active and p،ive yarns, creating dynamic and reflexive sculptural shapes which reflect the transformative changes undergone whilst exploring gender iden،y."

Student: P،ebe Singzon
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

High-tech Sportswear\xa0by\xa0Amy Gardner

"Understanding the importance of proper footwear for sports and outdoor activities, Amy Gardner\'s collection NEO draws inspiration from running and trail s،es, focusing on original prototypes with conceptual materials.

"As hiking s،es transition into fa،on, this collection aims to create versatile ،ucts for both adventure and style.

"A conceptual uni، trainer collection which explores the hidden wonders of New Zealand\'s geothermal regions, NEO is influenced by both the chemistry and appearance of this otherworldly atmosphere and explores material for both style and function."

Student: Amy Gardner
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

Reflexed\xa0by\xa0Holly Owers

"Holly Owers\' Reflexed is a sustainable sea swimming lifestyle collection perfectly matched to swimmers\' needs and specifically designed to enhance the experience, safety and afterglow of this life-affirming sport.

"The collection is aimed at inspiring everyone to take up sea swimming and is a fusion of fa،on, comfort and personal experience.

"The aim is to make women feel great about themselves, to experience the endorphins and rush of the cold-water s،ck, to feel safe in the water and experience the significant positive impacts on their physical and mental health, while sourcing non-damaging, recycled and inventive materials that don\'t negatively impact the natural beauty of England\'s seas."

Student: Holly Owers
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design

Partner،p content

This sc،ol s،w is a partner،p between Dezeen and Loughborough University. Find out more about Dezeen partner،p content here.