Re-designing fashion education

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Not many students (or fashion professionals in fact) get the opportunity to visit a farm and see the first – but fundamental – part of the fashion supply chain. This experience however, can help forge a deeper connection between nature and the clothes you are designing, making or marketing. You cannot make that connection sat at a desk. 

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Our workshop; ‘Fashion as a force for nature’, offers a unique opportunity for students to get inquisitive about where clothes really come from, how natural fibres are grown, how plant-based dyes are created, and to see real life examples of doing things differently within the UK. By connecting with the soil, students gain a new perspective of what true circularity looks like, particularly in the face of an ever shifting climate and demand for new cradle-to-cradle models around fashion design.

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Working with young designers and creators to inspire a different way of doing, is one of our key goals here at the farm - we want to support the change makers of the future and provide that much needed link between fashion education and the farming systems where fibres are produced.
 

The time on the farm will involve an introductory presentation in our farm classroom and opportunity to see lots of relevant samples, followed by a farm walk to meet our sheep and cattle, learn about our organic farming system, and enjoy a tour of our dye garden and micro tannery.

We can explain the journey of the wool from the sheep’s back, through the mill and students can see our yarns, and the garments Katie creates using the fibre. James explains oak bark tanning in Cotmarsh Tannery and we encourage rich conversation around the sustainability of these natural fibres. Students can explore the dye garden, and have a sample sheet to complete which ties the colour right back to the plant where it was grown. Depending on the time of year and how yields have been, students can harvest dye plants to take away and experiment with natural dyeing on skeins of my Portland yarn.

 

They will be able to ask lots of questions and hopefully leave with an understanding of the role of farms in growing fibres and dyes in the UK, feeling inspired about how their own textile practice could become a positive force for nature.

 

The best time of year for farm visits would be late May to October. Our standard workshop is around 3-4 hours with time for a lunch break, however we can create longer, more bespoke programmes. We tailor the content to all levels of students and professional designers, so please do get in touch if you are interested in rooting your creative textiles practice in nature.

 

We have funding to deliver this programme to under 18s, and a handful of opportunities for older groups. All you need to arrange is transport to get here.
 

"The whole experience was magical. The attention to detail and to us, allowed us to learn a lot. The fullness of the day and the different but related experiences bought the regenerative system alive.
The tannery was very interesting and I enjoyed getting up close to nature."

Participant from Falmouth University, bespoke 2 day workshop