News
Invited to talk on the making of Bougainvillea Couture. March 8th 2012. London, UK
Bougainvillea Couture has been invited to talk about “Water” and the creation of textiles as part of a forum organized by Sustinendi, hosted by Vola.
University of the Arts London. London College of Fashion. November 16th 2011. Postponed until March 2nd 2012.
Invited to lecture on sustainable colours in fashion and textiles: The making of “slow” sustainable couture. A lecture organized by the Study Abroad director.
Discovering natural dyeing techniques of the indigenous people of Wayuu. Maracaibo, Venezuela. SA. January 11th-February 8th 2012
Invited to observe the way these colourful people yield colourways for the making of their crafts in conjuction with local artists.
Bougainvillea Couture is featured on Sustinendi. January 10th 2012
Invited to be part of Sustinendi, a webiste dedicated to sustainable issues affecting our ecosystems and society.
Bougainvillea Couture launches its first video clip. January 3rd 2012
The video highlights my journey in the world of natural dyes up to date.
8th International Shibori Symposium. “Technology Shaped by Creativity Exhibition”. December 28th-January 2nd, 2012. Hong Kong.
Invited to exhibit ”Bougainvillea Shibori” during 8iss in the Newbeat/Energy Nexus: Wearable Art travelling exhibition. Hong Kong Polytechnic between December 28th-January 2nd 2012. The exhibition will later be hosted by Foshan Municipal Bureau of Culture, Guangdung Province between February 11th-17th, 2012.
Botanical Colours. November 29th-December 2nd 2011. Seattle, WA. USA
Invited to design and dye a range of sustainable coloured scarves and silks using “Aquarelle” natural dyes suitable for the fashion market. The ancient Japanese technique known as ”Shibori” resist will be creatively applied.
Permacouture Institute. California, USA. October 3rd-7th 2011. Postponed, date tbc.
Invited to present a bespoke lecture on ”Bougainvillea Couture” and to run a natural dyes workshop using sustainable colours ideal for the fashion market with emphasis on trend forecasting.
Fall Colour Harvest. Stone Edge Farm, Sonoma. CA. USA. September 24th 2011.
Attended this wonderful workshop on Eco-literacy organized by Sasha Duerr founder of The Permacouture Institute in California.
California College of the Arts. San Francisco, CA. USA. September 19th-23rd 2011. Postponed, date tbc.
Invited to run a natural dye workshop at CCA using sustainable colour palettes with emphasis on trends and forecast.
Jeff Oakes Designs. San Francisco, CA. USA. Summer 2011.
Commissioned to forecast a series of colour trend palettes for luxurious home furnishings, wraps, women’s tunics, summer shorts and men’s and women’s foulards for 2012/2013.
AMFI. Amsterdam, Holland. May 11th 2011
Lectured at the ”Amsterdam Fashion Institute” on E-Couture and sustainable colours in fashion and textiles.
ISEND 2011 Europe, La Rochelle. France. 24-30 April 2011
Lectured on the use of natural dyes in contemporary Fashion and Textiles with emphasis on Couture at ISEND2011-Europe ”International Symposium and Exhibition on Natural Dyes”. An ensemble comprising of ”Dress and Gilet” especially designed by Deborah Milner, consultant designer to Alexander McQueen was showcased during this international event.
London College of Fashion. London. UK.
Invited to lecture on Natural dyes in Fashion and Textiles. This lecture has been postponed until November 2011.
Trend Union Seminar 2012. Portland, Oregon. USA. January 28th 2011.
Attended a trend presentation on colour, patterns, silhouettes, lifestyle, natural dyes and denim by Elderkoort inc; hosted by Emmanuelle Linard.
Earthues, Seattle. USA. 25th-31st January, 2011.
Took a one to one intense dyeing and fabric treatment workshop with Michele Wipplinger using extracts such as ”Rubia Tinctorium” (madder) and insect bearing dye “Dactylopius Coccus” (cochineal) on silks.
Book research, US. October 2010-March 2011
Research and writing continues
Book research, UK. August-October 2010
Research and writing continues.
Book research, USA. June-August 2010
Research and writing continues.
Earthues. 2-9 of June 2010. Seattle, Washington. USA
Attended a training workshop on a 1-2-1 basis using natural dyes and fabrics with Michele Wipplinger at her studios in Seattle.
Apparel Arts. San Francisco, CA. May 25th 2010.
Invited to talk to The Fashion Industry group of San Francisco Bay Area about natural dyes in Fashion and Textiles.
Graduation Fashion Show. San Francisco, CA. May 6th 2010
Invited to attend The Academy of Art University graduation fashion show to be held at Brannan Street.
Fashion presentations. Downtown San Francisco, CA. April 8th 2010.
Invited to attend the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Fashion presentation being held at downtown Bastille.
Invited to attend the Global Action through Fashion gathering organized by VAGADU.
Natural dyes in Fashion and Textiles (19th and 21st centuries)
In the US since mid March 2010 continuing my research for a book I am writing on the use of natural dyes in Fashion and Textiles.
Few and Far, London, Uk. March 17th 2010
A range of hand block printed and Indigo dyed mens ties have been especially designed and being sold at this prestigiuos shop in South West London during a special story organized by Priscilla Carluccio. The story needless to say is on Indigo blue, please check www.fewandfar.net for futher details.
Kolkata, India. 20th-27th February 2010.
Attended RAKSHA. International Seminars, Exhibitions and Workshops on Conservation of Textiles organized by Sutra.
Institute of Craft and Design. Jaipur, January 27th 2010
Invited to give a talk to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The Institute of Craft and Design in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The subject was about my own personal experiences as a fashion/textile designer as well as natural dyes and crafts in fashion/textiles.
Jaipur, India. 10th-16th January 2010
Attended a workshop on mud resist print using natural dyes including Indigo. This worshop was organised by Wonderful Workshops in London, UK.
From Switzerland to the White House. November 5th 2009.
Invited to attend an evening at The Textile Museum in Washington, DC to hear the story behind the innaguration dress worn by Michelle Obama. Panel members included fashion designer Isabel Toledo and her husband the illustrator Ruben Toledo.
The Textile Museum. Washington, DC. 24th of October 2009.
Attending a gallery talk and tour on Contemporary Japanese fashion.
The Textile Museum. Washington, DC. 16th October 2009.
Invited to attend the reception evening to celebrate the exhibitions: Contemporary Japanese Fashion. The Mary Baskett Collection and Fabrics of Feathers and Steel: The Innovation of Nuno.
Maiwa Symposium
Attending Maiwa Symposium in Vancouver, Canada. October 12th-October 16th 2009.
New York Fashion Week
Attending New York fashion Week from September 10th-september 17th 2009 Spring/Summer 2010 collections.
ISEND 2011
Commissioned to design the logo for the next International Symposium and Exhibition on Natural Dyes to be held in La Rochelle, France from April 24th-April 30th 2011.
Whilst temporarily in the UK.
Attended a two day dye workshop using Mulberry leaves, Cutch waste, Marigold, Anatto and Madder extracts as well as Madder root on Cotton Velvet, Silk Noil, Silk Gauze, Ramie and Linen at “The Duchy Centre for the Creative Arts” instructed by Jane Deane in Princetown, Devon. UK. August 15th-16th 2009.
Currently in the US researching on natural colorants/pigments and working on textile portfolio.
Attended The National Design Awards “Design for tomorrow: The Future of Technology and Sustainability” guest speakers included Amory Lovings ( Design Mind Winner) and Bill Moggridge ( Lifetime achievement recepient and co-founder of IDEO) at the National Museum of American Indians. Washington, DC - July 24th 2009
Attended a three day workshop using natural dye extracts at “The Yarn Tree Arts Studio” instructed by Linda Labelle, the author of ” The yarn lover’s guide to Hand Dyeing”. Brooklyn, NY. July 17th/18th and 19th 2009.
January 2009, Visited CRITT and Couleurs des Plantes, Rochefort, France.
During this visit I did a workshop using natural colorants and pigments.
January 2009, Visited Le Bégonia d’Or, Rochefort, France
Specialists in gold embroidery to the Fashion House of Channel
International Symposium and Exhibition on Natural Dyes. 22-27 September 2008. Daegu, Korea.
Isend 2008. Attended this international symposium and exhibition where renowned experts and researchers participated, presented and discussed the latest advances and findings in the field of natural dyes.
February 2008, Attended the “Flockage” symposium, Bournemouth, UK
December 2007, Visited La Morera weaving studios, Merida, Venezuela. South America.
October 2007, attended the symposium on “Indigo: Global Perspectives” Brighton, UK
