About
Designer, Researcher, Cultural Practitioner.
Navigating the intersection of design and research, Ashna’s practice investigates craft, culture, and land within the landscape of regional textile systems. Her work is motivated by cultural heritage, local economies, and the well-being of communities and the Earth.
Working across borders, she has worked alongside textile organisations in the UK, Europe and India pioneering responsible practices, ethical value chains, indigenous natural fibres, traditional craft processes, and community-centred initiatives. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing design, craft, research, and systems thinking, she engages in meaningful collaborations manifesting in wearables, textiles, systemic development, sustainable strategies, and writings.
Since 2019, Ashna has been deeply engaged with Khadi London, a not-for-profit knowledge hub dedicated to regenerative fibres and textiles. She contributes to diversifying educational curriculums, facilitating cross-cultural design & research collaborations, and organising knowledge-based events. Our work places considerate importance on collaboration, intangible heritage, and social and environmental uplift.
Fulfilling Experiences & Roles
· Educator
Istituto Marangoni, MA Sustainable Fashion & Systems – London, UK (January 2023–Present)
· Director
Khadi London – London, UK (January 2023–Present)
· Curator & Event Manager
Threads of Change at The Nehru Centre – London, UK (2023)
· Project Manager
Khadi London & Chelsea College of Arts (University of the Arts) – London, UK (June–Oct 2023)
· Design & Production Co-ordinator
Kullvi Whims – Himachal Pradesh, India (Aug 2022–June 2023)
· Contributing Author
The Design School in Sustainable Transitions, Lab for Sustainability at Design School Kolding (2022)
· Design Research & Development
Det Vilde Spinderi – Odsherred, Denmark (March–Dec 2021)
· Designer
Anneberg Kulturpark – Odsherred, Denmark (Jan–March 2021)
· Artist-in-residence
KunstKollektivet 8B – Odsherred, Denmark (2021)
· Contributing Author
Handloom Sustainability and Culture, Springer Nature (Nov 2020–Jan 2021)
· Design Research & Development
Khadi London – London, UK (Feb–Aug 2020)
· Research Assistant
Lab for Sustainability at Design School Kolding – Kolding, Denmark (Jan 2019–June 2020)
· Contributing Author
The Quiet Movement of Conscious Design, Cellophane Magazine (2019)
Education
· MA Design for Planet (spec. Textile)
Design School Kolding – Denmark (2018–2020)
· BA Hons Menswear: Design & Technology
London College of Fashion – London, UK (2015–2018)
Grants & Awards
· New Landscapes India: Fashion, Textiles and Technology Research & Development (Khadi London)
British Council & Fashion, Textile and Technology Institute – London, UK (2024)
· Future Friendly Fashion Awards: Talent of the Year
Salling Group – Copenhagen, Denmark (2020)
· Statens Kunstfund (The Danish Art Foundation) – Copenhagen, Denmark (2021)
Showcase
· From Near, Not Far, Threads of Change
The Nehru Centre – London, UK (2023)
· Conscious, Collaborative Clothing, Festival of Natural Fibres
Craft Central – London, UK (2022)
· From Near, Not Far, Rhizom Relation 22
Pakhuset – Nykøbing Sj, Denmark (2021)
· Ode to Felt, Odsherred dresses you - Odsherred klær dig
Anneberg Kulturpark – Nykøbing Sj, Denmark (2021)
· Conscious, Collaborative Clothing, Postgraduate Showcase
Koldinghus – Kolding, Denmark (2020)
· Lands of One People, Undergraduate Showcase – London (2018)