With a background in finance and mathematics, studying Textile Design was a way for Loraine to balance a logical way of thinking with a creative, organic and experimental approach.
Date: 08 December 2020
Loraine Feldman, Textile Design BA graduate, describes her experience at London Met as "amazing. The facilities are impressive and the textiles team gave me the right balance of expertise, knowledge, support and challenge just when I needed it on my journey to graduation. I really miss them and the course!"
"What is particularly good about the course is the ability to work across disciplines with tutors and students, for example in Fashion and Ceramics. You have good access to all the facilities, like the workshops and library, which are excellent and are run very well."
With a background in finance and mathematics, studying Textile Design was a way to balance a logical way of thinking with the creative, organic and experimental approach which informs her natural dying techniques. "Natural dyes and natural fibres form the basis of my intricate woven textiles which are to be treasured equally as decorative or functional pieces.
"I am inspired by the colours, textures and patterns I experience during my travels. Through weave I have found a way to capture and communicate my emotional responses to the sense of place I see, hear and touch.
"I have chosen to use natural dyes, space dyeing and woven shibori techniques [in my work] because they all add an element of randomness to the outcome. Given my approach, everything I make is a unique one-off design inspired by my sense of place."
Asked what it was like the ongoing pandemic necessitated a transition to studying virtually she says, "when we moved online in lockdown the team got us up and running very quickly. They were very well organised and created a feeling of community over a computer screen.
"I particularly liked the online summer projects. For those of us graduating it gave us a lifeline. We still felt part of something and not left out on our own.
Since finishing her course, Loraine has her work selected by the Crafts Council for their Future Edit. The Edit introduces the next generation of makers, selected for their creative flair and thoughtful design. "I am very excited to have been selected by the Crafts Council to exhibit in Future Edit. After graduating it was very difficult to work out what I wanted to do next and how to go about it. In the current circumstances, it felt even more challenging. This opportunity really gave me a focus for the next stage of my career as a maker."
