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Tara White

National College of Art and Design

I am a recent graduate of the BA in Textile Surface Design at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. I love working with texture and colour to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere in interior environments. I’m passionate about creating textiles that support mindful living and enhance the feeling of home. My degree collection focused on creating textile window treatments that explore transparency, opacity, and shadow. I was particularly interested in how natural light interacts with layered cloth to shape spaces that feel calm, private, and emotionally grounding. Sustainability is a core part of my practice. Throughout designing, I made thoughtful material choices, favouring yarns like viscose and lyocell that are produced with lower environmental impact. I also focused on using single-fibre fabrics to support easier recycling at the end of a product's life. I strongly believe that beautiful, contemporary design can, and should, go hand in hand with sustainable values.

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Layers of Light

Category: Interior

Competitions: Home Competition 2025

My degree collection, consisted of a series of interior window treatments, focuses on creating textiles that blend aesthetics and functionality. Centred on the interaction of light, colour, and texture, it explores how transparency and opacity can shape a room’s atmosphere by balancing natural light with privacy. Through soft shadows and shifting gradients, it brings warmth and colour into interior spaces. A major focus of my project was ensuring that every stage of the design process reflected a strong commitment to sustainability. From the beginning, I was determined to make considered, responsible choices. I spent a significant amount of time researching the environmental impact of different fibres, finishes, and production processes. My aim was to create a body of work that was not only visually and emotionally engaging but also aligned with values of environmental care and circularity. One of the most important decisions I made was to use only cellulose-based yarn, which supports easier recycling at the end of life. I initially chose yarns such as viscose and linen, which have a lower environmental impact compared to more resource-intensive fibres like silk or polyester. Sourcing these materials involved a long and careful process. I researched suppliers in depth to ensure that the yarns I selected were responsibly produced and traceable. During my material research, I discovered TENCEL Lyocell, a fibre produced by the Austrian company Lenzing. It stood out as an ideal choice due to its strong sustainability credentials. It is made in a closed-loop production process where water and solvents are almost entirely recycled, significantly reducing environmental impact. I was especially drawn to it because of its softness, drape, and subtle sheen, which reminded me of silk, a material I had previously loved working with. However, I was committed to using only cellulose-based fibres in this project, and Lyocell felt like the perfect alternative. After researching Lenzing and their practices, I reached out to the company directly to ask about sourcing yarn. They informed me that they don’t supply directly to individuals, but I had already decided this fibre needed to be part of my collection. Determined to find it, I eventually sourced it through a seller on Etsy. I completely avoided the use of synthetic fibres and stayed away from unnecessary treatments or finishes. Every fibre was selected with the full lifecycle of the product in mind. This collection reflects my belief that sustainability should never be an afterthought, it should be embedded into the design process from the very beginning. Thoughtful design and environmental responsibility can, and must, work hand in hand.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.