‘Kind Materials Research’ at Textile Intersections Conference

Laura Morgan will be exhibiting her ‘Kind Materials Research’ at Textile Intersections, a four-day conference, doctoral consortium and exhibition taking place at Loughborough University London Campus, at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London, between 20-23 of September 2023. 

This 3rd edition of the Textile Intersections conference explores and celebrates the nature of collaborations in textile design research through six themes: Textiles and Architecture, Textiles and Sports, Biotextiles and Sustainable Textiles, Interactive and Performative Textiles, Advanced Textiles Materials and Processes, Critical Textiles. Of which Laura is also chairing the Biotextiles and Sustainable Textiles session.

The exhibited work, was developed by Wallscourt Senior Research Fellow, Dr Laura Morgan and Research Associate Rosy Heywood at CFPR, funded by a UWE VC-ECR Award. Kind Materials Research, explored sustainable alternatives to chemical dyeing and finishing by innovatively integrating bio-dyeing with laser technology. Linen textiles are transformed by combining these processes, reimagining traditional textile coloration and patterning. Experimental bio-mordants from plant, fungi and algae sources enhance the natural, plant-based dyeing process, and address toxicity in textile coloration by replacing petrochemical dyes and metal salts. Additionally, laser irradiation was creatively employed as a print process to introduce precision surface designs. Combining these approaches resulted in linen textiles that reimagine traditional coloration, aligning with sustainable, circular design principles.