Goldwork

Having graduated from University of Central England in 2000 with a BA (Hons) in Printed and Dyed Textiles with Art History, and from the Royal School of Needlework apprenticeship in 2003, Helen went freelance for a year before taking up the post of Head of Textiles and Costume for Bonhams Auction House. Having handled a very exciting record-breaking sale of an 18th century court mantua dress, she decided to leave the post after three and a half years to become Atelier/Production Manager for Hand & Lock in central London, running their fashion and interiors embroidery workrooms, working with clients such as Swarovski, Kate Moss, Topshop, Vintage Topshop, Gucci, Asprey, John Stefanidis, Tom Ford, The Royal Opera House, Burberry, Bamfords, Adidas and Ben de Lisi. Images of garments displaying her work for fashion companies have been used in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle Collections and Hello Magazine. Helen went freelance in April 2008 and has been working on a range of projects including teaching, lecturing, designing, making, exhibiting and consultancy work on valuing, handling and displaying antique textiles. She also still teaches and lectures for the Royal school of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace on the Foundation Degree, Certificated courses and day classes and has also taught in San Francisco for the RSN and travels Britain extensively teaching and lecturing to adult education groups such as the Embroiderers Guild and private textile art groups. She also teaches for the National Gallery in Edinburgh and the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh. Helen has displayed work in the Kitagawa Gallery in Tokyo, Japan as part of the British/Japanese Council celebration of 150 years trade. Her work has also been exhibited at Alexandra Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Shugborough Hall and Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park. She has also had solo exhibitions at The Old Friary (Lichfield) and The Old High House (Stafford). Her work is in private collections worldwide. Helen had a very productive and exciting year in 2011 which included opening a Glasgow branch of the Royal School of Needlework to teach both day classes and the Certificate and Diploma Courses, being commissioned to design and work three hangings for Hampton Court Palace, designing a set of hassocks and overseeing the work for a prestigious private chapel and having the honour of working as part of the Royal School of Needlework team to embellish the wedding dress and shoes and create the veil for Katherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.