After graduating from Gray's School of Art in 2016, I launched myself into working in the Haberdashery department of a well known store. Any time I had off was spent at my sewing machine: making cushions and washbags for whatever independent market I'd be attending that weekend.

 

 'Textiles by April' was the name of my first adventure into the world of digital textiles. I was awe inspired by the geology that surrounded me in the North East of Scotland - taking my camera to any interesting rock formations and using these as inspiration for my bold, unique textile designs.

​

The next few years were a whirlwind; Exhibiting at Premiere Vision in Paris, getting advice (and a big hug) from Gok Wan after being asked to showcase my graduate fashion collection with him, being the cover brand for Living Magazine. All this and moving from my hometown of Aberdeen to Glasgow, away from the beaches and coastline I am so inspired by. It was a lot, and all the time I was still working at my retail job.

​

It wasn't until 2020 that I realised life's too short to not do what I love and so Agate & Ayre was born. Inspired by my photography of stones and geological sites around Scotland, I set out to create a collection of luxury textile accessories whilst upholding my personal values:

​

-

 

Buying less by buying better - Designing textiles that transcend seasons.

Supporting local businesses - I source all my raw materials in the UK.

 Sustainability first - The printing method I use has minimal water usage, unlike traditional methods. Any of my remnants get used in other products and projects.

​

-

​

I hope you love what I do as much as I love doing it. My inbox is always open and I get very excited hearing from customers/other creatives/rock enthusiasts. 

​

On the 23rd of June 2021 I was delighted to be chosen as the winner for Scotland's Trade Fair #LaunchWithSTF competition. The judges loved the originality of my work and commended me on how I had built a solid brand in such a short space of time. I loved joining the Scotland's Trade Fair family in 2021!

​

​

​