BARBARA KENNINGTON   LUCY GOFFIN   18th c Waistcoat Project

Material Being brings together a unique combination of textile experience.  Lucy Goffin and Barbara Kennington first met in 2011 and began working together in 2015, deciding to pool their resources to complete the commission of a unique waistcoat, a contemporary interpretation of the richly embroidered 18th c waistcoat held in the V&A Archives which inspired Beatrix Potter’s illustrations for The Tailor of Gloucester.

Spinning off from this first joint project, a new adventure began.  Material Being recognises the desire to find, buy and wear uniquely crafted garments that directly connect the makers and the wearer.  Clothing that will withstand the pressure of time and fashion, and that celebrates stitch, pattern and weave.

They now work together and separately, pursuing their individual drawing and stitch work. For more information and images of their personal work, click on links above.

Goffin’s background is embedded in textile creation, her personal and commissioned work constructed by piecing together textured fabrics, richly coloured or understated and subtle. With a strong sculptural interest and a sense of intricate detail, stitched, layered and applied methods are used throughout her work.

Kennington trained in fashion design at the Royal College of Art and has enjoyed a successful career in the international clothing industry, tracking colour, fabric and styling trends.  More recently she has created a body of work that explores landscape through stitched and abstracted mark making translated onto both paper and material.