Fiona Foster

I am a woven textile designer who is driven by sustainable design processes in my materials led practice. My collection titled Mind of a Magpie challenges conventional attitudes towards what we define as waste and the hidden value of the materials we consume. Magpies are considered resourceful and adaptable opportunists that thrive in human-created environments, like cities. These collectors value the waste we produce. If humans approached design with a Magpie-like perspective, what might the world look like? Could we become more resourceful designers who fully value the materials we use? The collection takes inspiration from cityscapes and how the refined materials commonly found in our metropolises contrast to their raw counterparts. My work documents the messy reality of independent textile recycling and our relationship with the planet’s resources. I am looking forwarding to pursuing opportunities in sustainable textile manufacturing and research and development.