The exhibition OF NATURAL FIBERS
10am-4pm Monday 23 to Saturday 28 September
Bar area at the Foxlowe
FREE
This exhibition showcases a diverse array of plant and animal fibres from around the globe, offering a fresh perspective on the world of raw materials. By exploring what these materials are, where they originate, and how they are produced, the exhibition reveals the innovative solutions to be found in nature.
When we recognise the connectivity between us and nature and all the actors and skills needed to create something from a farm to a fabric you start to see textiles differently - you see your clothes as created from a plant or an animal - they are no longer just clothes. You start needing less and you become very selective and respectful of the timelessness of your clothes and textiles. It turns simple textiles into an invaluable and timeless item you naturally want to pass down to the next generation - it begs the question is fabric fashion, is fibre fashion?
We are a small group of dedicated story tellers, farmers, artisans, researchers, designers, makers, activists and entrepreneurs in the field of natural textiles. As an exhibition we are hoping to bring to you a global view of natural fibres exploring the possibilities of animal and plant fibres in our current textile and fashion industry, unravelling the truth and telling stories from the growers and makers perspectives.
We are hoping to uncover a new perspective on the world of raw materials and what they are and where they are grown. We are bringing to you the facts about sustainability and the problems these topics face in our current climate emergency and what is being done to change our supply chains.
We have a diverse selection of natural plant and animal fibres from all over the world on display which have all come from sources we are personally connected to. We are aiming to show you how clothes are made from plants and animals and where they come from and secondly what it really entails to make our clothes and to what level of sacrifice our planet is facing.
Lastly we want to talk about the complex supply chains which make up the fashion industry today and how we are all part of this problem and solution. There are some amazing stories which are grabbing the attention of all those in fashion as well as the farmers themselves. By all coming together to showcase our beautiful natural textiles, its a gentle call to action - we can start the conversation, conversation is key to change - however small that may be.
This exhibition hopes to whet your curiosity and bring everyone a little bit closer towards understanding how our natural world has no end to solutions with the fibres we can get from plants and animals and how these plants and animals can give back to our world and reverse the effects of our current system. With just a bit of extra care and passion we can pass our skills and knowledge onto our next generation.
Through finding our limitations, we will find our solutions.
A Non Profit Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee, Company Number 14560894. 70 Derby Street, Leek, Staffordshire, UK.
Website designed by Irregulars Alliance LLP