Awards celebrate rising stars of the Scottish textile industry

Recognised as being one of the most important prizes for Textile Students in the UK, the Annual Weaver Incorporation Career Enhancement Awards, held on Monday 4 November at Trinity Hall, are presented annually by the Weaver Incorporation, one of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.

The honours, awarded to an outstanding student and runner up from the BA Fashion & Textiles Design degree course at Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University, recognise the close relationship between Gray’s School of Art and the Aberdeen Weaver Incorporation and their shared commitment to support skills in the Scottish textile sector.

Winner of the 2024 prize is Joanna Robertson who is originally from Dumfries & Galloway, and now lives in Huntly.  Iain Gillies from Fort William in Lochaber, Highlands, is the winner of the runner-up award.

Joanna, who is in fourth year studying a BA (Hons) in Fashion & Textiles was presented with the J Gray Kilgour Medal, a certificate of excellence and a cheque for £800. She has created a project that explores the heritage of design in Huntly and the history of women working in and around the textile industries of Huntly.  

Joanna said: “Huntly has a long history of textile milling and garment production, that has dwindled to an existence of preservation and conservation. I’m really passionate about what people wear on a day-to-day basis, and how the history and culture of a place can influence design.

“I’m keen to build a culture of understanding about where our clothes come from, which is why I used Castleton raspberries as part of the dying process. Hopefully, people will question where their own clothes come from. One in four people in Aberdeen used to work in textiles, with the last mill closing in 1991. Maybe we could do a bit more to produce our own.”

Reflecting on the support she’s had from Gray’s, Joanne added: “I took the opportunity during lockdown to transition away from the energy sector towards Scottish knitwear design. I could not have taken this step without the support of everybody at Gray’s. It has given me the confidence and experiences to break into the creative industries.

“The Weaver Awards are a brilliant opportunity to meet local community members who have a real passion in what you do. With the award, I am able to take lessons in weaving with local textile brand ARRA Textiles.  I’m also focusing on my graduate collection, which aims to focus on a celebration of Scottish wool in its natural colours. With the price of wool so low, I think it’s important to explore ways to add value before wool breeds disappear altogether from our landscape.”

Runner up, Iain Gillies, is a fourth-year student at specialising in printed textile at Gray’s School of Art. Iain explores the archaeological and palaeontological heritage of the UK and draws inspiration from Scottish female fossil pioneers from the 19th century.

Iain said: “As I researched my topic area of fossils, I discovered that many women didn’t receive any recognition for their work and had to publish under their husband's name or were committed to an asylum. Many were the first in their field to achieve recognition, including Emily Dix, Jane Watson, and Elizabeth Gray. As a man in 2024 I thought it was important to remind people that this was what women had to deal with in the past, despite their excellence! I hope people feel a sense of interest and wonder when looking at the work.

“The support I’ve received from the tutors and technicians at Gray’s has been amazing. Gray’s has such a supportive environment, even amongst fellow students, which has really encouraged me with my project.

“The Weavers Award is a prestigious acknowledgement of talent by one of the oldest incorporations in the city, and country. To be the recipient of an award like that really validates your hard work and gives you hope and confidence for the future. When you look at the alumni who have won the award and the work they have done, it really is amazing.”

Dr Dan Allen, Dean of Gray’s School of Art, who attended the awards, said: “The relationship between Gray’s and the Trades Association is such an invaluable one.  It offers our students the chance to pitch to specialists within the industry and gain first-hand experience as emerging designers from the Weaver’s Incorporation. It demonstrates our shared commitment to support the North East of Scotland’s thriving fashion and textile industry, and Gray’s ongoing drive to foster a vibrant culture of enterprise among our students and the communities we work with.”

The awards are judged on the basis of a submitted portfolio and interview, and students receive a financial award to secure experiences such as a study trip, equipment and materials, or additional training such as specialised workshops, to help them in their future careers. They also receive dedicated business support and a mentor from the Weaver’s Incorporation to guide them with their future careers.

Ex Deacon Convener Graeme Nicol from The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen said: “The quality of applications from the Fashion and Textile students was of a very high standard and demonstrates the wealth of talent that Gray’s attracts to aspiring students who want to build a career in the textile industry.

“The Aberdeen Weaver Incorporation Career Enhancement Award established in 1986, marks the constant presence of the textile industry and their craft Incorporation in the city that spans more than eight centuries. The Award reflects the timeless principles and practices of the Weaver Incorporation: that of actively supporting the development of skills and the preparation of young persons for a rewarding career in Textiles. 

“The Aberdeen Weaver Incorporation Career Enhancement Awards are a testament to the close collaboration Gray’s has with the Trades Association and we look forward to supporting the awardees.”