Friday 25 September 2015

Kingston University & the WI Celebrating 100 Years of Craft

WI - Lottie Beard, Mary-Rose Holland, Kingston Graduate - Pippa Harries

You may have spotted in the news that the WI (Women's Institute) are celebrating their centenary this year.  You may even have been to their Centennial Fair in Harrogate this month. And if you did, you probably came across the exhibition of the WI/Kingston University Knitwear Project. 

WI- Lesley Fidler, Judi Smith, Kingston Graduate - Verity Gerner

This project teamed WI members with final year Kingston University Fashion students specializing in knitwear. Each student had two WI members in their team.  The outcome of the collaboration was on display.  
 
WI - Dawn Bailey, Pamala Bugler, Kingston Graduate - Naomi Barker

 
WI - Frances Cowper Holzhausen, Joanna Helme, Kingston Graduate - Grace White

The aims of the project included the sharing of craft skills, intergenerational learning (the oldest participant was 86), developing communities of practice and broadening research skills.  WI members gained an insight into modern design practice and the students were able to tap into the wealth of WI members' knowledge - both skills based and cultural.

WI - Maureen Adley, Billie Melville, Kingston Graduate - Esme Stainthorpe

The garments were all rather fab - here I have featured just some of the work on show and you can read more about the project here.

No comments:

Post a Comment