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Lab welcomes UK visitors
The Textile and Design Lab welcomed two UK visitors to AUT earlier this month. Dr Annie Shaw, Director of Studies in the Department of Design at Manchester Metropolitan University and Andy Caughey, CEO of Armadillo Merino, were in New Zealand as members of a Smart Textiles trade mission organised by Steve Thompson at The British High Commission in Wellington. Both visitors were invited to present to AUT staff, students and industry partners on the work they are doing in their respective organisations. Andy, a New Zealander who has lived in the UK for 30 years, founded Armadillo Merino 5 years ago in Belper, Derbyshire, and is a strong advocate of the inherent properties of merino wool for apparel worn by servicemen, emergency services personnel and those operating in extreme environments. Annie’s recent research interests have moved towards enquiry into the concept of ‘seamlessness’ broadly within design practice relating to garments, rooms, buildings and cities and exploring them through materiality.
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Recent guests of the Textile and Design Lab: Dr Annie Shaw (left) and Andy Caughey (right)
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Research collaboration
Dr Surinder Tandon, formerly a Senior Scientist with AgResearch Limited, has partnered with AUT’s Textile and Design Lab to support its internally driven research efforts in the areas of wool based and e-Textile materials and applications. Surinder, who has a wealth of research and development experience, particularly in the wool textiles science and engineering fields, will be a great asset to the lab in terms of his textile knowledge, research experience and commercial awareness. He is a Fellow, and an Executive Council Member, of The Textile Institute and received the Insignia of a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community and textile science in 2014.
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Textile knowledge short course: 8-9 September
Places are still available on our forthcoming Introduction to Textiles short course being held on Thursday and Friday 8-9 September. This course is the ideal way in which to acquire a broad range of knowledge about textile processes and products including fibres, yarns, knitting, weaving, coloration and fabric quality in a very short time frame. It will appeal to those who are new to the textile sector as well as those wishing to refresh their knowledge of the subject. Register here |
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Partner profile: Heirloom Woollen Collection
Commercial partner, Heirloom Woollen Collection, has been working with the Textile and Design Lab for around twelve months developing a range of fine knitted alpaca lace shawls, which it has recently launched into the luxury goods market. Company founders, Mandy Jiang and Barry Hart, together with TDL Senior Technician, Gordon Fraser, have produced several designs based on traditional handmade styles complete with scalloped edges. The brand is also offering digitally printed options under its ‘Artisan Shades’ range, the imagery for which is based on hand painted artworks. Read more about Heirloom Woollen Collection.
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Knitted alpaca shawls by Heirloom Woollen Collection
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Short course and workshop programme
The TDL’s short course and workshop programme is a great way to learn new skills in a very short time frame. Courses and workshops are run over 1 and 2 days and include the subjects of Textile Design for Digital Printing, Machine Felting, Knitwear Design, Textile Knowledge and e-Textiles and Soft Circuit Design. Read more about our short courses and workshops.
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