Margo Selby Internship Evaluation

This internship has truly been a once in a lifetime experience and I couldn't be more grateful for being able to do it. Having the opportunity to view the textile industry for myself, particularly whilst I'm still a student, will always be something I remember and there is so much I have learned, which I look forward to using to my advantage in the future. 

It has been a real learning curve for me, whilst working in the studio. I have come to realise not only what I hope to achieve in the future, but also what areas are not for me - and this is something I did not expect. 

I've always known I've wanted to specialise in Interiors, however if/when I start up my own business, I want it to portray the passion and love for textile design that I have. I don't want to be a designer with only one string to her bow; I want to bring together my love for woven fabrics, with interior design, as well as anything else that pushes me creatively. 
From working with Margo Selby, I have found that just working as a weaver is not a strong enough option for me. I need to be able to combine the arts and discover new concepts regularly - this is something I hope to further develop into my third year at university. 

Before joining the team, I felt that it was important to understand the concept behind the company and where the inspiration came from for the designer herself. 

Selby's first fabric - which later became her trademark design - was her 'silk bubble wrap'. Having been drawn to surface and texture since a young age, she wanted to experiment with recreating the feel of bubble wrap packaging, but with using textiles.  

I believe that to create a strong collection whilst collaborating with a designer, you not only have to put your own ideas into a design, but also take inspiration from the company you are working alongside. I want to take a more 3-dimensional approach for this project and create fabrics which are a balanced combination between my geometric, block patterns and a textural aspect, linking to Margo Selby. 

I understand that I cannot replicate her work or concepts, therefore I need to discover a new and interesting way to add that 3D and textured side to my work. 

So where do I go from here?

Looking back over the past few weeks, I'd been particularly fascinated with the remnants from fabric rolls and samples - the selvedge especially. I'd seen it as almost wasteful to be discarding these beautiful jewels, with such vibrancy and excitement within them...surely they could be put to better use than in the bin? So I started to collect them and over a few days I began to build up a large pile. (Shows how much fabric we cut on a daily basis!)

I feel that all this selvedge could be exactly what I've been looking for, for my project. A way of adding texture. A more 3-dimensional approach. A link to Margo Selby; my own 'bubble wrap'. I'm looking forward to experimenting with it and studying it in more detail.