Kathleen O'Grady Design - grady bleu

I am a Saskatoon-based clothing designer and textile artist. I have been working and designing with textiles for more than 40 years. I create one-of-a-kind pieces and small collections with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship, devoting great care and attention to each part of the design process. Combining old-world sensibilities with contemporary design, I create garments that have timeless and enduring appeal. Found and naturally dyed fabrics add accents to one-of-a-kind pieces. My work with natural dyes, including a line of naturally dyed scarves, explores an infinite palette of colour, as I create and discover nuance and variation with each encounter of the dye vat. Along with natural dyes, I incorporate screen printing and hand embroidery.

My extensive travels in Southeast Asia, Japan, India, and Africa have given me an appreciation of textile traditions from around the world. In the mid-1980’s I lived in Greece for a year and Japan for two years. I understand textile as legacy, giving context to the importance of heritage, tradition and community. I recognize the impact of globalization on traditional craft communities and the need to bring greater awareness of the living legacy these communities represent.

I received training in fashion and surface design at Vancouver Community College, Capilano Community College, the University of Washington, Pratt Fine Arts Center and the University of Oregon. I trained in natural dye techniques at workshops led by world-renowned instructors in Vientiane, Laos; Oakland, California; Seattle, Washington; Eugene, Oregon; and Vancouver, Canada, including Aboubakar Fofana (Mali), Michel Garcia (France), Charlotte Kwon (Canada), Joan Morris (USA), Michelle Wipplinger (USA) and Gasali Adeyamo (Nigeria/USA).

I hope you love wearing my designs.