Profile Category: Committee

Holly Walker

Holly Walker

Publicity Officer
publicity@textilesociety.org.uk

Following a degree in Printed Textiles, Holly worked in TV production and video content in textile art and craft, before project managing store design in international fashion and homeware for ten years.

"My interest is in homespun and domestic textiles; the intimate narratives they embody and the wider political insights they can give. The ‘craft’ aesthetic as an art form, and the influence of context has always intrigued me."

Desiree Jeans

Desiree Jeans

Website Editor
webmaster@textilesociety.org.uk

Desiree’s experience lies in business development and events programming to encourage engagement with museum collections and exhibitions. Her current interests lie in podcasts, and the crossover between public speaking, social media and online content.

"My creative practice focuses on sculptural hand knitting. The process used to create is crucial, with the act of handcrafting being key. Future aspirations include doctoral research in the use of hand knitting as a grief management tool."

Clare Bungey

Clare Bungey

Text and News Production Editor
publications@textilesociety.org.uk

Since completing her degree in Printed Textiles, Clare has developed an extensive career in textile publishing, marketing and communications. Now she specialises in organising and curating textile events and workshops in the UK and internationally.

"I have had a life-long love of textiles, and have been pleased to collaborate with wonderful textile artists, designers and historians from all over the world."

Pat Frost

Pat Frost

Text and News Editor
text@textilesociety.org.uk
newsletter@textilesociety.org.uk

Pat has almost 30 years’ experience of working in the Fashion and Textile Department of an international auction house, with special responsibility for European, Islamic, Indian and Asian textiles and Fashion sales. Now Pat is an independent consultant in the field.

"In my second term as Editor of the Textile Society publications I hope to widen the topics covered and increase contributions from the membership, both in the form of articles and support for the production of the newsletter and journal. There is so much still to be written and photographed on our shared field of interest!"

Suzanne Smith

Suzanne Smith

Awards and Bursaries Representative
Museum, Archive and Conservation Award
museumaward@textilesociety.org.uk

Suzanne has over 20 years’ experience of working in the museum and heritage sector. She is a recognised expert in storage and care of textile-based collections having managed the national collection for eight years. She is now working in a consultative role.

"I remain dedicated to opening up textile and fashion collections to as wide and as diverse an audience as possible, and believe wholeheartedly that ‘all of this belongs to you’!"

Sally Laker

Sally Laker

Treasurer and Membership Secretary
membership@textilesociety.org.uk

Sally’s background is in accountancy and business. She has 35 years of experience in industry, where she extended her skills in internal controls and procedures. Later she developed a career in teaching, specialising in adult literacy and mathematics for students and sixth formers.

"After 11 years in the teaching profession I remember why I took the opportunity to change career: to concentrate on education."

John Fisher

John Fisher

Co-opted member
Antique and Vintage Textile Fairs

atflondon@textilesociety.org.uk

Dr Linda Brassington

Dr Linda Brassington

Chair
chair@textilesociety.org.uk

Following a long career as a Senior Lecturer in Printed and Woven Textiles, Linda’s work has spanned international residencies and design projects. Her current research explores new meaning in resist dyeing and the relevance of intangible cultural heritage in contemporary practice. Since her election as Chair in 2020, Linda has worked closely with colleagues to build an ever-increasing community of members, and to strengthen the Society’s charitable purpose in upholding the value of textile education in all its diverse forms.

"Education is central to the purpose of the Textile Society, demonstrated through our extensive awards and bursaries scheme, our breadth of events, conferences and fairs, and through our annual journal and publications. From colour in the dye room to the global culture of cloth, textiles cross boundaries and the many disciplines represented by the Textile Society."

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