Craft Focus - Jun/Jul (Issue 67)

12 craft focus industry news KAREN NICOL LECTURES AT CLEVELAND COLLEGE Mixed media textile and embroidery designer Karen Nicol, who is renowned for her work with Chanel Couture, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Betty Jackson, recently delivered a lecture at Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD), where she spoke to students about her career. During her presentation, the Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Art talked about her early days setting up as a freelance designer and how she built up a business, which also includes solo shows and exhibitions in galleries around the world. Students were able to view more than 100 creative portfolio images which demonstrated the versatility and diversity of Karen’s embroidery and mixed media designs, as well as getting up close and personal with some of her work. “My biggest influence was probably my mother who was a totally self-trained flower arranger, Chinese brushstroke artist, teacher, painter, embroiderer, milliner and dressmaker. She believed she could try anything,” says Karen. “My inspiration comes from everywhere and I carry a notebook and camera with me and plunder everything for ideas, not necessarily for what I’m working on at that time but to store for the future.” Jayne Hemmis, Textiles Programme Leader, adds, “We are absolutely delighted to have had Karen Nicol come to CCAD. She is an amazing, talented, respected designer and artist who has worked at the very top end of the textiles industry for many years. The department was literally buzzing after her visit.” For information on opportunities at CCAD, visit ccad.ac.uk HANTEX LAUNCHES SEW FOR THE OCEAN CAMPAIGN Fabric and haberdashery wholesaler Hantex has committed itself to reducing plastic waste from within the sewing industry. As part of this initiative, the company will be sponsoring Row For The Ocean, a transatlantic rowing team that is raising awareness of plastics in the world’s seas. The group of four inspirational women will be taking part in the 2018 Atlantic Challenge, travelling more than 3,000 miles and raising as much money as possible for Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), an organisation that has been one of the main drivers in the battle to clean up Europe’s coastlines over the past few years. To coincide with this, Hantex will also be launching its own Sew For The Ocean campaign, which aims to inspire those within the craft industry to do whatever they can to use lower-impact products, as well as recycling and reusing. The scheme is designed to include manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers, and the company is encouraging its customers to submit their recycling ideas via its online forum at sewfortheocean.com . The special site also includes useful links and ideas, and Hantex is encouraging its retailers to reuse its packaging wherever possible. To find out more, visit rowfortheocean.co.uk and sewfortheocean.com