Emily Criddle

‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ is inspired by the urgency to reveal the true cost of chemical dyeing processes and the impact on people’s health and livelihoods and our environment. The Textile dyeing industry is responsible for 20% of global clean water pollution and the effects of fast fashion and textile waste build up is resulting in drastic changes to the natural world. Exposure to harmful chemicals is ever increasing due to the bioaccumulation of contaminants from the textile industry in the environment and in water systems. As a designer, I believe it is imperative that we tackle this issue of transparency in our field and make great efforts to make design more sustainable and non-toxic. My collection is inspired by the ways in which fabrics are made and created entirely using natural dyes and natural fabrics – I draw from cotton plants, flax flowers, and moths. I draw from the plants I am dyeing and printing with for my naturally dyed fabrics, which include, marigolds, heather, chamomile, and logwood.