Fair trade focus: Kirsteen Stuart

From an island off the shores of Scotland there is a fair trade designer who designs edgy graphic patterns for a signature collection of unique clothing and accessories. Jenny Butler writes.

Kirsteen Stuart, based in Orkney, studied Kirsteen Stewart studied Fashion design at the University of Northumbria, Newcastle where she specialised in printed textile design.  After graduation she returned to her Orkney  roots to build her own design business and continue working as a freelance designer.

She designs and produces creative illustrative prints, for feminine but contemporary clothing and accessories.  She blends classic pattern cutting, dressmaking and craftsmanship with original graphic screen prints.  Accessories and clothing are designed to be mixed together to each individuals taste.

Her inspiration comes from the people in Orkney, rich contrast colours, history and illustrators from the past and present.

She collaborates with fair trade companies and charities including the Asha Foundation in Bangladesh, and the Bombululu workshop in Kenya. Each item is designed by Kirsteen Stewart and crafted by someone skilled in traditional techniques local to their part of the world.

Stuart is inspired by the things she sees at home and on her travels around the world: “I have always been fascinated by detail and many of my designs evolve from everyday objects or things I have seen in far flung places- the pattern on a tea -cup, a piece of crochet work, tribal patterns, jewellery and textiles.”

This youthful label includes cotton bead necklaces, a pretty stag brooch, and a summer essential, flip flops. There is also a selection of cute bags embossed with tea pots, muffins and birds.

Kirsteen Stuart