Two talented textile design graduates from The Northern School of Art have been chosen to represent the future of sustainable design on the prestigious Green Grads platform.
Jaime Curá and Laura Wigham, both 2024 graduates from the BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Design course, will showcase their environmentally conscious creations at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) in Manchester, which runs from 17th-20th October 2024.
Green Grads, founded by award-winning design journalist Barbara Chandler in 2021, is an innovative initiative that promotes UK graduates whose work aligns with the theme of healing the planet. The platform selects top graduate talent to feature at major events, including this upcoming display at Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths. Jaime and Laura are among the latest emerging designers to join this influential community of creatives dedicated to sustainability.
Barbara Chandler first encountered Jaime Curá at the renowned New Designers graduate showcase in July 2024. Jaime’s show-stopping jackets, created from reclaimed fabrics and waste materials, immediately caught Chandler’s eye. Describing Jaime’s work as “wearable art,” Chandler remarked, “Her designs tell tales of old garments, materials destined for landfill, and are a scream against fast fashion.” Jaime’s standout piece, a jacket titled Plastic Paradox: Our Polluted Planet, incorporates materials such as mixtape ribbons and waste plastics, highlighting the pressing issue of environmental pollution.
Laura Wigham, hailing from Peterlee in County Durham, was also selected after impressing Chandler with her collection inspired by the wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and Northumberland. Laura’s intricate designs, featuring lino-cut prints and hand-painted textiles, draw on the rich folklore of these ancient, uninhabited places. Her portfolio is already gaining traction with pieces being sold at markets and online.
Jaime, originally from London and now based in Newcastle, expressed her excitement about joining Green Grads: “It’s an honour and an amazing opportunity that I’m going to embrace fully.” She plans to exhibit three of her main designs, including Excess Threads, a coat made entirely of waste yarn, fabric, and threads, as well as other new pieces she’s working on.
Laura, thrilled to be part of the platform, noted how integral nature and sustainability are to her work: “I was totally over the moon! For Green Grads to recognise this in my work is absolutely wonderful.” She intends to present her prints alongside original lino blocks and photography to highlight the meticulous process behind her designs. Laura will also offer a range of products such as cushions and greetings cards featuring her signature hand-painted style.
Both Jaime and Laura are currently collaborating on a new collection that blends Jaime’s fabrics with Laura’s prints, offering a unique fusion of sustainable fashion and surface design.
Green Grads is supported by a cooperative of British brands that are dedicated to sustainability, including Ercol, Heal’s, and Anglepoise. Thanks to their contributions, graduates like Jaime and Laura can exhibit their work without financial burden. The platform has already nurtured around 200 graduates, providing them with exposure through shows, salons, social media, and more.
The Green Grads in the North exhibition at GNCCF is set to be a major highlight for sustainable design in the region, and Jaime and Laura’s work will undoubtedly inspire visitors to think differently about fashion and design’s role in healing the planet.
Further Information
For more details on Jaime Curá and Laura Wigham’s work, follow them on Instagram:
- Jaime Curá: @cura.jl
- Laura Wigham: @laurawigham.design
For more information about the BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design degree at The Northern School of Art, visit www.northernart.ac.uk.
