Emma is the owner of Woolly Mammoth Fibre Company, a natural yarn dyeing cottage industry in County Antrim.

‘‘I work from my garden studio where I grow dye plants, make videos and create unusual yarns from the clip of local sheep’’.

Naree is a purpose-driven fashion brand founded by mother-daughter duo Namita and Reea, blending the vibrant spirit of India with the serene charm of Northern Ireland. Rooted in the Sanskrit word for “woman,” Naree stands for empowerment, sustainability, and effortless style, as well as being our names combined! We champion slow fashion with responsibly made, multipurpose pieces—like our 100% cotton kaftans and loungewear—that reflect our values of quality, comfort, and conscious living. Every item is handcrafted in small batches, supporting artisan livelihoods and promoting mindful consumption.

Sue is an environmental artist and educator, currently working as Education Officer with local charity Tools for Solidarity. Both her art practice and work deal with issues of sustainability, especially in regard to textiles. "Joy is resistance", and Sue is living proof that we can lead more equitably, mindful and frugal lives that are still colourful, joyful and exciting. Sue teaches sewing and dyeing skills, visible mending, upcycling and creative reuse of materials, to show that stewardship of available resources is as desirable as buying new, with the added bonus of lightening our impacts on both planet and people.

Valerie Wilson is a graduate of Belfast School of Art, with a degree in Fashion and Textiles.  She has worked for the Ulster Folk Museum (National Museums NI) for over 30 years, and is now the Curator of Textiles there, with responsibility for Ireland’s largest collection of dress and textiles. She has curated exhibitions on a number of textiles themes, including patchwork, embroidery, and historical dress and regularly contributes to publications, conferences, and media events with a textiles theme. Valerie has a keen interest in the sustainability and recycling of fashion and textiles, drawing on the collection at the Ulster Folk Musuem for inspiration. As a designer/maker she has contributed to a number of craft exhibitions over the years and has received an award from the Royal Dublin Society for textiles.

Castle Espie is a wetland reserve managed by the WWT the charity for wetlands and wildlife on the banks of Strangford Lough, three miles south of Comber, County Down, Northern Ireland.It has a magical mix of wide estuary views, tidal lagoon, eel-grass mats, woodland walks, salt marshes and reed beds; the presence of Ireland’s largest collection of native and exotic water-birds; and the abundance of habitats for other wildlife. Strangford Lough is an area of international importance and great beauty, with eelgrass beds and a wide variety of wildfowl and waders including shelduck, shoveler, redshank, godwit and plover.