Kumi Furuhashi Middleton

Born in Japan

My inspiration often comes from the nature surrounding us and the nature of the materials.

I produce my work by upcycling any unloved materials I can find around me, including Japanese kimonos fabric, which I obtain from my family and from second hand shops in Japan.

I always try to minimise the waste by using the materials in the most efficient way, which sometimes involves dying the discoloured fabrics and economical pattern cutting. By doing so, I believe that I am not only reducing waste, but also giving new life and an aesthetic value to a fabric that might otherwise be lost.

I use machine stitching, embroidering, starching to achieve the effect I want to create my one-off pieces.