Rachel David - Textile Anarchist

Rachel David brings a sense of magic and storytelling to her textile work, weaving together fairytales, folklore, and historical costume to create intricate, character-driven pieces. Her figures, crafted from rich textiles and forgotten materials, evoke the colours and textures of the past while feeling both nostalgic and otherworldly.

Her love of textiles began at the age of five, when she started collecting fabrics from jumble sales. In the mid-1960s, as many abandoned natural fibres for modern synthetics, Rachel sought out tweeds, silks, and lace, sparking a lifelong fascination with cloth. As a teenager she restyled clothing for herself, friends, and later her children, nurturing a creative practice that grew into her self-employed journey as Textile Anarchist 25 years ago.

Rachel’s work takes two distinct forms: bold, one-of-a-kind garments reimagined from vintage fabrics, and anthropomorphic characters born from preloved textiles, inspired by folklore, theatre, and the natural world.

Working from her garden studio in Warwickshire, surrounded by countryside views, she continues to experiment and create. Formerly the owner of two successful shops in Leamington Spa and Warwick, Rachel is now preparing for a new chapter by the Cornish coast.

Find out more and follow Textile Anarchist: @textileanarchist