Green Grads Take the Spotlight at Talking Textiles
From February 25th to 28th, Talking Textiles will take over the Crucial Trading showroom at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, offering a unique platform for six talented Green Grads to showcase innovative textile practices. This free-to-attend event celebrates sustainable design and production, bringing together cutting-edge ideas that aim to “heal the planet.”
Curated by founder and design journalist Barbara Chandler, Green Grads is a groundbreaking initiative that spotlights emerging sustainable design talent from universities across the UK. Launched in 2021 the program connects recent graduates with industry professionals and wider audiences, providing a springboard for their eco-conscious ideas.
Here’s a closer look at the six Green Grads redefining sustainable textiles:
Jaime Cura
A “waste warrior,” Jaime transforms pre- and post-consumer textile waste into thought-provoking pieces. Highlights include a triptych crafted from Skye Weavers’ selvedge wool and bags made from waste denim, upholstery fabrics, and coffee sacks. Her fashion pieces—jackets blending fused plastics, denim, and wool—redefine the creative potential of discarded materials.
Joanne O’Rourke
Joanne’s painterly designs reflect the interconnectedness of natural ecosystems. Her work explores groundbreaking techniques like waterless dyeing and pigment-based digital printing, alongside low-impact regenerative fibres such as hemp and flax. Recent projects include using seaweed as a sustainable dye and design element.
Scarlett Farrer
Winner of the 2024 Heritage Crafts Young Weaver Award, Scarlett revives traditional weaving with a sustainable twist. Her Field to Fabric collection features hand-spun natural fibres from unwanted sheep fleeces, ensuring a circular process that returns nutrients to the earth. Scarlett will also demonstrate yarn spinning during the event.
Jess Kirkpatrick
With a passion for natural dyes, Jess takes visitors on a journey “from seed to colour.” She showcases the full process of creating natural dyes, using native plants grown from seed. Through her vibrant experimentation, Jess emphasises the beauty of natural hues and the importance of fostering a deeper connection to the land and its resources.
Yahvi Duggal
Founder of Peel Studio, Yahvi is redefining sustainability in design by transforming kitchen waste into biomaterials. Her wall art made from banana peels and eggshells is a testament to the untapped potential of everyday waste. Alongside her expertise in biomaterials, Yahvi brings her experience with natural and synthetic dyes, challenging conventional perceptions and sparking dialogue about their environmental impact.
Sofia Barbé
Sofia’s playful wall hangings combine unconventional natural materials such as coir, hemp, and mycelium. Inspired by her Uruguayan upbringing and cherished childhood memories, Sofia’s works are rich in texture and personality. Through her innovative approach, she demonstrates how diverse materials can be harnessed to create deeply personal and eco-conscious designs.
This year’s Talking Textiles promises to inspire anyone passionate about sustainability in design. Meet these graduates and explore their transformative ideas.
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Further Information:
February 25–28th 2025
Crucial Trading showroom, 2nd floor, South Dome, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London, SW10 OXE
Free Admission
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