Textile Society AGM and Conference

RE : wind - Recycling and Sustainability

26 Nov - 28 Nov 2010

De Montfort University
Leicester

The Textile Society is working in conjunction with the De Montfort University who are providing conference rooms, a lecture hall and their brand new Retail Lab which will provide an excellent platform for lectures, display and exhibition space

De Montfort University is a dynamic organisation, formed from a diverse range of specialist institutions. Its long history of excellent teaching, learning and research is founded in the technical and trade education of the late 19th Century. Montfort, Earl of Leicester was a distinguished figure in English history and widely credited with establishing the first parliament in 1265.

This will be a conference that is offering the latest evidence based research across a number of fields.
There is a packed programme of papers reflecting current thinking on variety of topics, by leading authorities throughout this field.

The conference kick off on Friday with a wonderful opening event in the evening, including a welcome from VIPs and a keynote speech, a buffet supper, music and a dance performance.

On the Saturday, after a day of very interesting papers (see below for details), there will be an opportunity to unwind and to partake in the conference dinner at The Belmont Hotel.

Outside Visits
In addition to the lectures, exhibitions and displays, that will cover a huge range of issues; there will be local visits organised throughout the weekend.
These are several possibilities and this information will be constantly be updated on the web
Sunday visits may included:
Leicester New Walk Museum and the exhibition ‘Suits and Saris and Links
New Walk House
Snibston Fashion Museum
Hemp Farm & Factory

‘Re Wind Exhibition’ in the Retail Lab

The exhibition will showcase various objects including Nettle, Hemp and Bamboo fibre fabrics and objects both historical and contemporary. Recycled objects and textiles from the 18th Century to the present day including an 18th century Spitalfelds silk gown which had been reworked many times, ending its wearable life on an Edwardian stage.

The exhibition will also feature garments from designers living, working and selling their collections in London now.
Students will assist in contributing and setting up the exhibition.

The Retail Lab has been designed to allow for development testing and live commercial demonstration of new retail design concepts and technologies, including live demonstrations. It focuses primarily on emerging low-carbon retail technologies, working with major retail companies and suppliers.
Many of the materials used within the construction of this building are in themselves recycled including the carpet, rugs and furniture.

Demonstration Area

This will be a space to be used for demonstrations both audio and visual, including papers and examples of work from previous Textile Society Bursary Winners, Modern Recycling Methods, Movement of Recycled objects, making and weaving of different fibres.
Posters will include the late Margaret Tucker’s research on the recycling of Crimean war military uniforms into quilts.

The Retail Bazaar
Will offer a unique shopping opportunity that will include:
Specialist books sellers, Upcycled clothing, Recycled Shoes, Classic Vintage reclaimed textiles, Hemp Nettle and Bamboo suppliers, Green Companies, Fair trade articles and produce.

Confirmed Speakers

Dr Jenny Balfour Paul
‘Taking Indigo into the Future‘
Writer, Lecturer and Traveller
Honorary Research Fellow in the Institute of Arab & Islamic Studies at Exeter University
Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society
Partner in Silk Road Connect, Harvard University

Isabella Whitworth
‘An Unsustainable Demand’
A Glimpse into the 19th Century Orchil Trade
Artist /Dyer
Lecturer, Researcher

Dr Emily Baines
‘Strategies in Sustainable Design’
Programme Leader: MA Design Innovation
De Montfort University Leicester

Professor Jon Stobart
‘Textiles and the second-hand trade in the long eighteenth century’
Professor of History University of Northampton

Katina Bill AMA MA
‘The Shoddy Industry of West Yorkshire’
Collections Care
Kirklees Museums and Galleries

Professor Sandy Black
‘ Design Solutions to Sustainable Fashion’
Eco Chic: The Fashion Paradox

London College of Fashion
Professor of Fashion & Textile Design & Technology
Director of the LCF Centre for Fashion Science

Dr Mark Nesbitt, Emily Brennan
‘A Forgotten Fibre: The rise and Fall of Jamaican Lace-bark’
Curator, Economic Botany Collection
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
& Honorary Research Fellow
Department of Anthropology
University of Kent
&
Emily Brennan
Textile Conservator, Textile Conservation Ltd.
Recent Graduate of Camberwell College of Art

Mathew Horne
‘Sustainable Fibres for Textiles’
Research Fellow
TEAM Research group
De Montfort University Leicester
Specialist in Nettle, Flax and Hemp Fibre Textiles

Sophie Gorton
‘Made from waste’
“Organic”
Own Label
MA in Textiles

Ramya Suresh
‘Innovative Design in Bamboo, Jute, Soya Fibre and Recycled PET’
MA Design Innovation student, De Montfort University
‘Developing Sustainable Fabrics and Clothing for Primark:

Lesley Pullen MA
‘Sustaining Traditional Production: An Indonesian Model’
Independent Researcher and Lecturer
Material Culture of Southeast Asia
Co-Tutor Southeast Asian Art, Diploma in Asian Art, SOAS
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
Fellow of the Royal Society of Asian Affairs
Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society
Cultural Patron of Asia House

There will be 25 free student places on a first come first served basic, applications to events@textilesociety.org.uk