Boro Threads Of Life. KateWhiteheadTextiles‬ © 2015 Kate

My love of Boro was the inspiration for my final collection at uni and continues to influence my textiles. I spent two happy hours at the Threads Of Life exhibition at Somerset House in April taking photographs and sketching. boro  translated to ‘rags’ in English, boro is the collective name for items – usually clothing and bed covers – made by the poor, rural population of Japan who could not afford to buy new when need required and had to literally make ends meet by piecing and patching discarded cotton onto existing sets, forming something slightly different each time they did so. Generations of Japanese families repaired and recycled fishermen’s jackets to futon covers, handing them down to the next and weaving their own sagas and stories through the threads. 

Selvedge. KateWhiteheadTextiles‬ © 2015 Kate

My work is now in selvedge magazine's shop window; a collection of weave and embroidery.

KATE WHITEHEAD »

On May 7th, 2014 Penny Gray wrote on the subject of Artists and Designers,Selvedge.

This month the work of textile artist Kate Whitehead appears in the Selvedge Window. Specialising in weave and embroidery Kate uses what she describes as ‘poor materials’ such as calico, muslin, scrim and salvaged fabrics. Kate makes the cloth richer through patching and mending and more desirable by fashioning it into accessories, upholstery fabrics and wall hangings.

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Selvedge Window. KateWhiteheadTextiles‬ © 2015 Kate

I am delighted to have been asked by Selvedge Magazine to show my work in their shop window from April 7th. Selvedge Magazine, 162 Archway Road, London, N6 5BB UK

London, March 2014. KateWhiteheadTextiles‬ © 2015 Kate

I am currently working on creating  a collection of  'Boro' inspired fabrics of different sizes to take with me to Central Saint Martins in March. 

My Utelier profile. KateWhiteheadTextiles‬ © 2015 Kate

My work is now live on Utelier. 

http://www.utelier.com/profiles/113

I am an artist and designer specialising in weave, embroidery and interiors. I use poor materials to produce unconventional items of beauty and distinction that can be worn, hung or framed. I find inspiration in the forgotten, overlooked and abandoned. My passion and creativity has brought me success, receiving awards in the UK and artist in residency in Morocco. My work is to be shown in Selvedge window.

My Honours & Awards. KateWhiteheadTextiles‬ © 2015 Kate

         

My Honours & Awards

Clothworkers Foundation Award

Commendation from the Clothworkers foundation award for a material constructed for either a fashion or interiors product,created by non conventional means 2013

Embroidery sponsorship-Madeira 2012


Winner of the Holland and Sherry award for a woven fabric 2012


Commendation from the Clothworkers foundation award for a woven fabric for mens or womenswear including accessories 2012


work featured at the knit and stitch show 2011

A snippet from my Moroccan journey. KateWhiteheadTextiles‬ © 2015 Kate

I have returned from my Moroccan adventure full of creative inspiration and admiration for the people of Essaouira. I have brought textiles home with me and a knowledge of Moroccan craft and culture that I could only learn first hand. I have made new friends and have many tales to share. Here are a few of the photographs I took.