DJCAD Degree Show 2017: Textile Design

Crawford Building, Level 3

20th – 28th May

With the success of graduates such as fashion designer Hayley Scanlan and illustrator Johanna Basford, Textile Design at DJCAD has an enviable reputation for producing talent in both print and knit.  This year’s exhibition is no exception, showing strength in pattern design, dyeing techniques and constructed textiles with applications across fashion, sport and homeware.

The use of light as a medium for accentuating the allure of textiles appears across the work of several students, with foiled and reflective prints highlighting the beauty of tropical landscapes in a collection entitled Mystic Gardens by Ujala Choudhry.  Within a more metropolitan subject matter, Lyndsey Currie incorporates reflective yarns in to her Urban Trending unisex streetwear.  This exploration of the interaction of light continues through the work of Jennifer Laughlin, with LED lights adorning garments to reflect movement and mood.  The rise of smart textiles is an intriguing phenomenon, and it will be interesting to see how the work of this student progresses beyond graduation.

Returning to more traditional techniques, the landscape of Shetland is explored through brushed and dip-dyed knitwear in an earthy collection by Mhairi Abbas entitled Land and Sea.  The panoply of blue and green tones is reminiscent of the pristine waters of the islands, and the construction of the knitwear begs to be wrapped around the body for warmth on a windswept beach.  This connection to our

environment afforded by textiles also forms the basis for the tableware designs of Daisy Stott.  Foraged Findings aims to bring people together to eat and chat, and illustrates the details of foodstuffs that can be foraged from our natural environment.  Along with tablecloths inspired by edible plants and herbs, Daisy has also produced a range of delicate ceramic bowls to adorn her textiles and reiterate the act of sharing and community.  Rachel Sanders further contributes to the idea of bringing nature into the home with a colourful botanical display harking back to the British love of all things floral.  Outdoor tableware adorned by colourful bugs and flowers by Rosie Watson is reminiscent of our days as children exploring parks and forests, and brings a sense of fun and cheeriness to the exhibition. 

In addition to the inspiration provided by our natural world, the work of a number of students actively seeks to preserve and protect the environment.  Sarah Watt has designed an educational tool based upon the practice of macramé, the knotting of string to form decorative

and functional objects. Knot on our Beach endeavours to bring children and police together to create bags for the collection of the litter that often blights our marine environment.  Swimwear designs by Scott Fraser-Hirst in his One Ocean collection are constructed from ECONYL^®, a recyclable yarn produced from waste fishing nets.  Along with its ethical credentials, the collection depicts the vibrancy of colour and diversity of patterns synonymous with swimming in a pristine tropical ocean. 

For the world of high-end women’s fashion, Nicole Morrison has produced an impressive collection of ready-to-wear garments based upon the euphoria experienced from psychoactive substances.  Elaborate patterns and layers of fabric encourage the eye to rave and explore.  The collection is not only mesmerising in terms of the patterns depicted, but the quality of the tailoring and presentation are astounding.  Every detail has been attended to; including the production of laser printed acrylic clothing labels.

With such a diversity of work on display, the Textile Design degree show exhibition is a delight to attend.  It not only provides inspiration for home and fashion, but will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of designers to enter into this mesmerising world of knit, print, colour and pattern. 

Angela Gillies