Kristen Robb (Worthy Earth Apparel) - Regenerative Design
My name is Kristen Robb, a local textile print and regenerative designer. I work closely with native Irish flora -whether creating designs or making natural dyes. Combining science communication, activism, and design,
I aim to help people connect with nature in a deeper, more thoughtful, and considered way through design. "Islands of Design" to me is an opportunity to speak for the places where we have grown. Being from an island is a unique privilege - one that I take great pride in. With land, forest, mountain, and sea all within reach, designers are offered a wide range of inspiration within a single microclimate.
"Islands are notoriously special - full of life that is specialised to place and has long coexisted alongside local people, shaping human and non-human relationships, heritage crafts, and rich culture. The insular environments that islands provide give designers the opportunity to look deeper, to see more, and to notice what others might overlook."
The nature of islands, with their distinct microcosms, is a constant source of inspiration within my design work. Connecting people with the land, learning about native flora and fauna, and practising design in regenerative ways are just some of the approaches I find particularly exciting within the island context. It is an exciting juxtaposition -to know my island so well, yet to be constantly discovering more.
For the pop up museum, I intend to include a range of my design work: my MA final project, examples of my natural dyes, and designs I have created for the pillow company I design for, BellaMoon. I would bring my naturally dyed cotton patches, dyed using invasive and overabundant species that threaten local native plants here in Ireland. I would also bring examples of my native plant dyes, demonstrating the rich range of colours that can be achieved from our local flora. Additionally, I would showcase designs that feature visual stories of our land, incorporating native plants such as rosehip, wild parsley, sage, chamomile, comfrey, and water mint. These designs also weave in Irish folklore, combining design with heritage. I want visitors to see that my work is inspired by and infused with the heart of Ireland.
"Island Design" can be bright, exciting, beautiful, and elegant - even from temperate islands. I also believe it is important to demonstrate that regenerative and textile design is multidimensional; no designer needs to conform to a single form or approach.
My hope for design in Belfast is that it will continue to thrive. In recent years, I've noticed the art scene here taking a massive step into the public eye. It's so exciting to see the voices of Belfast artists translated into design and shared with the city and beyond - through local tourism shops, markets, collaborations with musicians and more. Belfast is full of beautiful minds, each of us shaped by the history of being from this city. If we continue to create and move forward in a sustainable and regenerative way, I believe Belfast will only grow stronger and more vibrant as a result.
