Claire Malley - MA/MSc Textiles
Drawing on my own textile heritage, my design practice unpicks the narrative of people and place, translating storytelling through colour, pattern and materiality. Exploring themes of belonging and what makes us who we are, my work seeks to connect with our sense of self, fostering wellbeing and building community through meaningful design.
During my MA I took part in a live brief/ competition and designed a textile collection 'Bloom' including fabric designs, woven wall hangings and handmade paper panels made from Liberty fabric offcuts. The focus of my project was to reflect the essence of Liberty and Vita Group's newest development House of Social with bold, contemporary textiles, creating inviting spaces for communities to grow.
Liberty, London ‘Embrace the Selvedge’ Design Project – Vita Group Textile Collection Winner, May 2025 https://www.art.mmu.ac.uk/news/item-10041914/
My Synthesis Project entitled 'Wish You Were Here' features a textile structure 'The Sanctuarie' made from Community Clothing denim offcuts and recycled denim/ textiles - a quiet, mindful space inviting visitors to reflect, reconnect and recircle.
The Sanctuarie has been inspired by my SEM Micrograph and CMF Colour Memorial project, highlighting the juxtaposition of fragility and strength, and the role colour and tactile materials play in evoking the senses and promoting wellbeing. I have experimented with constructed textiles, interweaving techniques including machine knitting, papermaking and weaving with denim waste and recycled yarns to create 3D textile structures.
By using sustainable materials in these innovative ways, my textile practice creates a discursive space to engage, connect and consider the future possibilities of textile design.
