Lydia takes textiles prize at New Designers

MANCHESTER School of Art graduate Lydia Hiles is celebrating after winning a top prize at this year’s New Designers.

Lydia, who graduated this summer with a first class honours degree in Textiles in Practice, took home £1,000 after winning the Worshipful Company of Weavers Associate Prize for her textile design.

The former Hereford College of Art pupil, who is originally from Abberley, in Worcestershire, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won the prize. It is such a privilege to be recognised by the heroes of the weaving world at such a competitive and prestigious platform as New Designers.”

Her work is inspired by an interest in methods of recording and storing information she said she is particularly keen to add a contemporary edge to traditional menswear fabrics by employing an innovative approach to colour, yarn, and structure.

Alongside her woven fabric designs, Lydia has also developed a trio of scarves for the Flowers Gallery, London inspired by the art of Michael Kidner.

She now hopes to launch a career as a freelance woven textile designer.

Lydia said it would be difficult to choose just one thing she loved about studying at Manchester School of Art.

“It’s a hard choice between the last month where I was able to exhibit my work at the Manchester School of Art Degree Show, New Designers, London and Flowers Gallery, London or the 10 hour days spent for weeks on end in the workshop with the other weavers - we had the best time,” she said.

Lydia’s advice for students following in her footsteps, was: “Work hard producing work that you love, take a professional approach to your practice and don’t worry about the rest.”

You can see more work by Lydia on her website, or follow her on Instagram at @LydiaHilesDesigns. 

To find out more about studying at Manchester School of Art, click here.