Helen Etherton (she/her)
The forms and folklore of hag stones have been moulded by nature and time. Their sculptural qualities and mythology have inspired this collection.
Keenly motivated by sustainability and ethical production, responsible design is at the centre of my work. I have carefully considered my use of materials, investigating circularity, provenance, transparency, and impact on people, animals, and planet.
I have also given much thought to developing textiles that outlast trend cycles. How do we combat our culture of overproduction and disposability? Tactile, hand-crafted textiles with a story behind them have the ability to provoke sensory responses and inspire curiosity – reactions that can develop into more emotional and durable connections.
The loom is where my work comes to life. I have experimented with various woven structures, combining them with rust-dyed and responsibly-sourced yarns, and explored washing and finishing techniques that transform the textiles from flat, loom-state fabrics to ones with interesting surface textures and form.
Dobby cloths feature gradient warps and exaggerated honeycombs that evoke the sculptural nature of the hag stones. Jacquard pieces play with contrasts of textures: fluffy mohairs sit next to shiny silks; high-twist and stretchy yarns create cloth with tactile, three-dimensional surfaces.