This year has been quite a whirlwind.
A year of leaps of faith (some terrifying, the ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ kind of leaps), meaningful conversations and new experiences.
These moments can often blur into one amongst the endless plans and to do lists, so I’ve decided to take a moment to reflect on some of my personal highlights of the year.
Textiles Hub London
February 2018
The first big leap, moving into a studio for the first time.
Textiles Hub London is my creative home, a dedicated space to create, share and develop my practice.
It’s been a long time coming and it was soon after I realised that I was outgrowing the small creative corner in my home, that I was offered the opportunity to join a studio.
Becoming a resident member of Textiles Hub London and working alongside other talented textile-based artists and designers has proved to be essential to the development of my practice. Looking back, I can see how the narrative surrounding my work has changed and evolved because of this space, conversations with my studio sharers and being part of a creative community.
Collaborating with KAPDAA-The Offcut Company
May 2018
The lovely team at KAPDAA-The Offcut Company got in touch with me at the end of 2017 and invited me to collaborate with them to create a bespoke collection of sustainable pieces and it all came to fruition this year.
I can’t wait to officially introduce you to each luxury piece in this collection.
This collaboration required a certain level of letting go for me, letting old fabrics become new and allowing skilled artisans to be a part of that process.
These one of a kind, creatively sustainable pieces will be launched in 2019.
Look out for more on their story in a future post on The Making Of…
Kingsgate Workshops Summer Open Studios
June 2018
Kingsgate Workshops Winter Craft Fair
November 2018
Taking part in my first open studios in the summer as part of Textiles Hub London and the wider community of makers, artists and designers that make up Kingsgate Workshops was a wonderful experience.
This is where some of those meaningful conversations I mentioned earlier happened.
Being able to explore the labyrinth that is Kingsgate Workshops and meeting other studio holders as they opened their doors to the public was an especially unique part of these events.
As well as a soft launch of the collaborative collection with KAPDAA, I also had the opportunity to show the multifaceted nature of work through conversations with visitors. These moments highlighted the level of transparency and engagement I wish to maintain throughout my practice which is part of the reason why I have created this platform,
The Making Of…
I am looking forward to taking part in similar events in 2019!
Winchester School of Art Alumni Pop-Up Shop
December 2018
For the first time in five years, I took the train from Waterloo to Winchester to take part in Winchester School of Art’s Alumni Pop Up Shop. It was so surreal to be back at first, but I quickly found comfort in the familiarity of the city and the realisation that I still knew my around (for the most part) and having a mini reunion with my tutor and my friend and textile designer Coral Fowley.
With a test launch of some new products which had such a great response, I will be launching new pieces in 2019.
Launching Yvette Kissi & The Making Of…
December 2018
One of the things I am most proud of this year is personally curating and launching my website and accompanying blog The Making Of…
I am so happy to have this platform to share my creative journey with you in more depth.
I’m going into the new year with a lot of new ideas and things I hope to achieve and explore, and I am looking forward to sharing more behind the scenes moments of my process with you.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best for 2019!!
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