A STUDENT who began learning her craft in Warrington has been honoured for her talent and dedication.
Rebekah Fuller, who studied Textiles & Fashion at Priestley College, received the Worshipful Company of Woolmen’s Silver Award for being an outstanding student working with wool and undertaking industry placements based on wool textiles.
“It still feels a bit surreal that such a livery company in the textile industry would choose to award me for my work and to support me with my studies,” she said.
“With being in the creative industry I’ve learnt I have got to quickly grow a pretty thick skin as not everyone is going to like my designs and fabrics but it does make it that much more special and rewarding when you win something like this because people like your work and are rooting for you to succeed.”
Rebekah was introduced to textiles at Priestley having studied Art & Design at Culcheth High School.
She learned to love using fabrics to express her ideas and creativity and after completing the Art Foundation at college went on to study a BA/BSc in Textiles (specialising in weaving) at the University of Huddersfield.
It was a university tutor who nominated Rebekah for the Woolmen’s award in recognition of one of her woven projects called ‘Threads of Time’, a Jacquard woven upholstery collection exploring the heritage of craftsmanship in her own family and on a global scale.
As part of the prize she attended an awards dinner at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London where she met some inspirational people from the industry.
“I’m still not over it,” she said. “It was one of the best experiences I’ve had.
“I won some money which is helping finance my placement year. It will also go towards materials I might not have been able to afford otherwise.”
Her time at university as well as her work placements, including at Abraham Moon & Sons and Joseph H Clissold, have given Rebekah countless industry connections that she hopes will lead to great things when she graduates.
“On my placement year, I’ve met a few recent graduates and it’s inspiring to see where I could be a few years after graduating,” she said.
“Something that draws me to weaving is that there is so much to know, and I don’t think I will ever stop learning about weaving.”
