On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, textile designer Dawn Michelle Russell is presenting her grad collection at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Annual Fashion Show in Abbotsford. Her label, Della Terra Designs, translates from Italian as ‘of the earth.’ Dawn’s textiles are earth inspired and sourced, influenced by her association with VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver. Working with plant extracts, mineral pigments, rusting techniques and other methods that evolve from earth elements, Dawn colours and transforms cotton, linen, silk and paper. Decomposing red cedar, patterns in rocks and filtered light through a tree canopy have inspired textiles she has created.

Dawn’s passion for textiles was nurtured as a graduate of Ryerson’s Fashion Design program. An extended hiatus ended in 2007 when she enrolled as a student in Extended Studies–Textiles at UFV. Dawn began experimenting with hand weaving and surface design techniques. She has developed her fibre art skills through projects, workshops, classes and independent study. Each naturally dyed, original design fabric is cut individually to create Della Terra Designs‘ distinctive coats and weekend wear.

For tickets to the 2012 UFV Fashion Show: https://www.ufv.ca/Fashion/Fashion_Show/Absolute_2011_Order_Form.htm