BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design student and designer Jaime Curá has been shortlisted to take place in the Tex+ Finalist Graduate Showcase! The textiles artist has been through the competitions first round of interviews which took place at Liberties HQ in London. Jaime is based in Newcastle upon Tyne that recently finished our textiles degree programme she is also due to exhibit at New Designers graduate showcase in London.

Speaking of her work she said; “my art is woven deeply with my concerns and hopes for our planet. I specialise in creating wearable art, driven by the urgent narratives of the climate crisis and the transformative power of sustainability.”

Jaime’s collection ‘Fast>Forward>>Fashion’ explores the world we live in today, “where fashion often speeds by.” Speaking of the concept Jaime said “My work aims to hit the pause button, encouraging a slower, more thoughtful interaction with what we wear, glimpsing what could be.

My commitment to sustainability is reflected in how I source my materials—rescuing the discarded, the overlooked, and the unused. You won’t find piles of unused materials destined for landfill in my studio. Instead, you’ll see bins brimming with scraps of fabric, old clothes waiting for a new breath of life, and tools that help me turn the discarded into the cherished.

My pieces are designed not just to be worn, but to provoke thought, evoke concern, and inspire action. They challenge the throwaway culture and champion the beauty of reuse and lasting value. Through my work, I invite viewers to reconsider their own habits and to join me in a movement towards a more sustainable, fashion-forward future.”

Speaking of the application process Jaime explained, “The initial process was quite straightforward. I uploaded my artist profile to Arts Thread website . From there I was able to enter the Tex+ and Global Creative Graduates Showcase 2024 competitions. Then, my lecturer Jayne nominated myself and a few others to Tex+ and I was lucky enough to be chosen along with just under 200 others from across the UK, to the second stage interview process being held at Liberty HQ.”

Speaking of their interview Jaime said “I was given the opportunity to present my work to a panel of six industry professionals, one of which was from Liberty. I was asked a lot of questions regarding my work as well as my future plans, and given some amazing feedback and advice, which was greatly appreciated. They have one more day of interviews, then they will be in touch whilst we are exhibiting at New Designers in London.”

The outcome will be an exhibition featuring all the selected finalist, Jaime commented “if I am lucky enough to be selected, I would be exhibited alongside 24 other graduates in a two-day exhibition at Chelsea College of Art and Design. Then there are other awards and prizes to be won whilst at the exhibition.”

Jamies work will also be on display with the rest of her cohort at this years New Designers attendees will find their work at stand T56 during week 1 26-29 June 2024! You can also see more of Jaime’s work on here instagram: @cura.jl

If you are interested in studying textiles at degree level make sure you check out our course page to find out more details about modules, our resources, partners and student opportunities! Click here.