A b o u t
Encapsulating the beauty of sustainable design with naturally dyed, woven textiles
The aim of Botanica Textiles is to help combat the irreversible changes caused by the ‘fast-textiles’ industry. Core company values include only using organic, sustainable yarns which have been naturally dyed, only sourcing materials with a transparent supply chain and ensure all fabrics are biodegradable. These handwoven items are made with the highest quality materials and innovative approaches to make sure each item can endure the impacts of every day life.
Botanica Textiles specialises in being one of the only design studios which uses seasonal colour palettes. This means that we create colour palettes dictated by the colours which can be achieved through the natural dyes available each season. This results in collections where nature sets the trend and fully biodegradable textile collections.
Background
Natalie McCormack
Whilst studying Textiles: Innovation and Design at Loughborough University, I gained a fascination with the construction of textiles. I fell in love with the meticulous approach required with weaving and the excitement of developing lifting plans to create my own unique style. After studying for four years, I graduated in 2021 with a First Class Honours in Woven Textile Design.
Whilst I have always had a passion for design and colour, learning about the harms of synthetic dyes and GMO seeds within my research formulated my sustainable approach to design. After years of research and developing innovative methods I have started Botanica Textiles - a company devoted to creating sustainable handwoven textiles.
Let Nature Set the Trend
COLLECT ART FAIR:
COLLECT OPEN AWARD WINNER 2024
Earlier this year, I had been selected by Crafts Council UK to be a part of their prestigious Collect Open cohort for the 20th anniversary of the art fair. During the show, I was awarded the Collect Open Award for the series of artworks I had exhibited named Harmony.
The artwork consisted of five panels which depicted a scene in the Yorkshire Dales. The aim of the piece was to show the harmony which can be created between the seasons, naturally dyed colours and the location. This was done by foraging plants for the piece directly from the scene depicted and show how the colour palettes created change from Autumn through to Winter.
INNOVATE UK EDGE: YOUNG INNOVATOR AWARD 2022/23
At the end of 2022, I received some incredible news that I had won a Young Innovators Award with Innovate UK EDGE. The Award means that they will provide funding and mentorship to Botanica Textiles as we commercialise natural dyes for the UK interiors market.
With this project, we are working on expanding our Natural Dye Colour Library in which we use British grown plants as dyes and record how these change throughout the seasons.
To read more about my award with Innovate UK EDGE, click the link below: Young Innovators Award - Innovate UK