Lily Mcdonnell

Lily McDonnell is a textile practitioner specialising in woven design. She is interested in the natural world, with a keen passion for natural dyeing processes. 

Born in North Norfolk, her work is guided by the use of regional materials, demonstrating her strong ethos for ethical and traceable textile design. 

Awards

Priestman Goode x RCA, Materials and Health, winner, 2022

London Mayor’s Social Enterprise Award, semi-finalist, 2022

Exhibitions

SustainLab, LEGACY, Hockney Gallery, (2023)

Surface Design Show, Surface Spotlight Live, Business Design Centre, (2023)

Priestman Goode, Materials and Health, London Design Week (2022)

Modulyss Showroom, Clerkenwell Design Week, (2022)

The Woven Coast

The Woven Coast was formed through locality, looking to North Norfolk’s landscape and materials not only for inspiration, but as tools for making.

Working with region-specific materials, my intention was to create work that speaks to the value of locality in textile production. The textiles reflect the traditions of Norfolk through handcrafted, traditional techniques, which are rooted in the region’s heritage and history.

My material use was informed by conscious choices. I foraged earth pigments from Norfolk beaches, I worked with local farmers and artisans to source native wool, and I contacted regional mills for their deadstock yarn.

The materials are a reflection of the land, and my work is a reflection of the materials.