As Design & Product Development Manager at AW Hainsworth, Kate combines creativity with technical expertise to develop innovative woven fabrics for both fashion and interiors. With a passion for colour, texture and textile construction, she plays a key role in bringing new ideas to life – from the first design concept through to the finished fabric woven here at our mill.
We caught up with Kate to find out more about her career, what inspires her, and what she’s excited about at AW Hainsworth.
I began studying textiles in 2018 and completed several work placements during my degree across both the fashion and interiors industries within textile manufacturing. After graduating, I spent four years designing luxury apparel fabrics before joining AW Hainsworth.
I’ve now been at Hainsworth for almost five months, and I’m loving the new challenge.
Throughout my career, I’ve focused on designing technically compliant, creative and beautiful textiles for luxury brands and designers around the world.
I’ve always been fascinated by colour, weave structures and the way different constructions come together to create luxurious woven fabrics. Every design begins with a brief, and my role is to use both creative thinking and technical knowledge to translate an idea into a fabric.
Some briefs are more open-ended, such as developing fabrics for a new collection, where it’s important to consider market trends, aesthetics, price point, composition and performance. Customer briefs tend to be much more specific, requiring a tailored approach that balances creativity with technical requirements.
I’m particularly excited about the launch of our new interiors fabrics later this year. It’s the first collection I’ve been involved with since joining Hainsworth, and it’s been fantastic to hit the ground running, creating designs from the outset.
One of the most rewarding aspects has been being able to follow the fabrics throughout the mill. Thanks to our vertical manufacturing model, you can see every stage of production, from design through to weaving, which is incredibly satisfying as a designer.
Be open-minded and embrace different kinds of work experience.
While I was studying, I had the opportunity to experience several areas of the textile industry, from upholstery cut-and-sew teams through to textile finishing. Those experiences not only gave me a valuable network of contacts but also helped me develop a much broader understanding of how fabrics are made and used.
Inspiration can come from almost anywhere.
I’m particularly inspired by architectural forms, as they often have a structural language that translates beautifully into woven textiles. I also draw inspiration from photography and the natural world.
I love visiting galleries and exhibitions too, especially those focused on fashion and textiles, as they’re a great way to discover new ideas and perspectives.
No two weeks are the same, which is something I really enjoy. It all depends on what stage a project is at.
Some days are spent carrying out trend and market research, creating mood boards or developing weaving specifications to calculate costings. Other days involve preparing customer presentation packages, supporting the sales team during customer visits, or attending trade fairs and exhibitions.
The highlight is always seeing designs being woven. Because all of our manufacturing takes place on-site, it’s incredibly rewarding to watch an idea evolve into a finished fabric.
It has to be our Vivid Hues Melton collection.
I’m a real colour enthusiast, so I’m naturally drawn to the vibrant, eye-catching palette. The incredible range of colourways makes it a standout collection for me and perfectly reflects my love of bold, expressive design.
From a passion for colour and construction to seeing ideas brought to life on the loom, Kate’s enthusiasm for textile design shines through in everything she does. As she helps shape the next generation of AW Hainsworth fabrics, her blend of creativity, technical expertise and fresh perspective will play an important role in continuing our tradition of designing and weaving exceptional British textiles.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming collections – we can’t wait to share what Kate and the team have been creating.