Circularity Within The Textile Industry

With the textile industry known for its extensive waste across a variety of industries, many designers are looking at ways to try and close the loop on the cycle. Design journalist Roddy Clarke discusses the issues and the response with founder of Brighton-based textile studio House of Quinn, Julius Arthur and founder of The Textile Review, Katie Briggs. While the problems may seem insurmountable, can we all play a role in changing the future of the industry?

Panel talk hosted by Roddy Clarke

With a breadth of skills and hands-on industry experience, Roddy works as a journalist covering many areas of design with a strong focus on the positive social and environmental impacts it can have. A regular contributor to titles including Forbes, The Financial Times and the London Evening Standard, he is also working on a new online restoration platform, The Restoration Collective. He hosts and presents a variety of talks and discussions around the role of antiques in a modern society and what the future holds with our striving towards a circular economy.

His passion for interiors, antiques and sustainability stems from a young age, learning directly from his father - a China and Porcelain restorer. Igniting a keen interest for reconditioning and handling luxury items, he moved in to the industry where he spent over four years managing multiple restoration projects for private clients, stately homes and larger public spaces. It was here that he gained extensive design knowledge, as well as discovering the limits of working with antiques and vintage items. Upon moving to London some years later, Roddy then focused his energy on the furniture retail industry. Working as a freelance stylist and offering creative direction for brands led him back to his roots to discover the true purpose of design and its role within a future world where a conscious ethos and a beautiful aesthetic can be successfully merged.

Julius Arthur of House of Quinn

House of Quinn is a design practice creating narrative-based collections of work with a focus on traditional craft techniques and application. Founded by Julius Arthur in 2016, House of Quinn is a place for exploration in craft, making and design.

The foundation for his work has been informed by the craftsmanship, heritage and stories that can be found in the objects we might interact with every day, exploring the idea that these ephemera can become vessels for narrative. Julius brings inspiration from his rural upbringing, the landscape and folklore into his work while also sourcing and foraging for textiles and renewed materials to become the basis of his collections. Working with the constraints of locally sourced materials and creating small-batch or unique objects for abode and dwelling.

Julius Arthur is a designer, artists and maker who holds a Master Degree in Fashion Design and Business Studies from the University of Brighton. He has exhibited work with Toast, Seasalt, Hole & Corner and The New Craftsmen as well as featured in international press publications such as Elle decoration, Kinfolk and Living etc.

Founder at The Textile Review, Katie Briggs.

Katie is the founder of The Textile Review. Working previously in events, the amount of waste she witnessed compelled her to create new solutions for the industry and others using fabric in temporary ways.

The Textile Review's vision is to create repurposing solutions for anyone using fabric, events and other industries will take responsibility for the resources they use, and fabric will be sustainable. We intercept waste as early as possible, with a priority of preserving as much value as possible.

The Textiles industry is one of the most wasteful, polluting and opaque industries worldwide. The gigantic demand for cheap fabrics is devastation communities and the environment.

Seeing so much single use compelled Katie to create a solution. Along came The Textile Review. On a mission to provide simple, efficient and impactful solutions to textile waste across various industries in the UK.

Founder at One Nine Eight Five, Eleanor Nadimi

Established in 2016, One Nine Eight Five is a British homeware brand that specialises in print and interior textiles. The brand offers seasonal collections that are inspired by film, art and fashion. Recognised for its innovative prints, colour combinations and dedication to creating British manufactured goods, One Nine Eight Five uses ethically sourced materials wherever possible.

Founder Eleanor Nadimi received her Masters at The Royal College of Art in 2010 as a printed textile designer. Her passion for art, and background working in both fashion and interior design, led to her creating a brand that uses an ethical approach to bring something new and fresh to the interior design world. Eleanor’s understanding that home is a reflection of who you are, enables her to create considered and trend-driven products.

Supporting British manufacturing, craftsmanship, sustainable processes and recycling is at the heart of One Nine Eight Five.