16-17/10/2024
I was super fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend the Making it in Textiles conference in Bradford. I joined four other students at UAL to learn all about the weaving industry and network with students from other universities.
I was nervous to attend, speaking to all of the Industry and Livery representatives was really daunting.
However, once I arrived and was caught up in the moment and wasn’t overthinking. I chatted to loads of students and representatives, it was absolutely incredible. I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to attend. I feel as though I shall enter third year with a much wider breadth of knowledge.
I spoke to experts such as:
- Philippa Brock
- Andrew Hogley
- James Gaselee
- James Bagley
- Lucy Knights
- Elliot Barlow
- Professor Sheila-Mary Carruthers
On the second day I visited Marton Mills, based just outside of Bradford. It was amazing to view the large scale process of making the fabric. The design stage was a lot quicker than at university which I hadn’t expected. I had never considered the possibility of working in a mill, however, after this visit I definitely want to get some experience during my DPS year at a mill. I believe this shall help clarify if working within a mill is something I could want.