ABOUT

I am a designer, anthropologist, and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at All Souls College, University of Oxford and living between Oxford and Glasgow, Scotland. A graduate of the University of Oxford (Msc/DPhil), my work explores textile techniques, aesthetics and histories focusing on the social, environmental and economic relationships formed during the production process. I have carried out ethnographic work with Harris Tweed weavers in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland (MSc Visual, Museum and Museum Anthropology) and for my DPhil in Anthropology, I completed twelve months of ethnography apprenticing with Japanese natural textile dyers on the island of Amami Ōshima, Southern Japan. My doctoral research studied the contemporary production of textiles associated with the Oshima tsumugi industry, specifically the dorozome (mud-dyeing) and aizome (indigo-dyeing) techniques. My work considers the role that traditional crafts play in sustaining rural social networks particularly in light of issues surrounding environmental, economic and social sustainability, and human and planetary health.

Prior to studying and working as an anthropologist I worked as a designer in the fashion industry in London, New York and Paris, while also running an independent design label. I trained in Fashion and Textiles at Central Saint Martins (BA) and the Royal College of Art (MA) in London. I continue to use design, illustration and photography as visual ethnographic methodologies, as well as applying these approaches within individual and collaborative exhibitions and publications.