Donna Wilson has been quoted as being ‘wonderful with wool’, a ‘material marvel’, a ‘textile designer extraordinaire’ and even an ‘All round textile legend’. As these descriptions suggest, her distinctive designs have won her an army of dedicated fans around the world and given her a reputation as one of Scotland’s brightest design stars. Characterised by a playful nature, tactile aesthetic and multicoloured palette Donna Wilson’s work ranges from colourful knitted creatures to striking upholstered furniture designs.

Donna studied Textiles at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen before gaining an MA in Mixed Media and Constructed Textiles at The Royal College of Art in London. It was during her time at the Royal College of Art that Donna enjoyed some early success with her first collection of knitted creatures. Being an industrious sort of person, Donna took the creatures to a shop called Couverture who sold lots every month, which paid her rent while she was at college.

Although she has lived in London for ten years now, Donna still takes most of her inspiration from memories of her childhood growing up on a farm in Aberdeenshire in the North East Scotland. When she goes home to visit her family she likes to walk through the beautiful landscape and breathe in the fresh air, which makes her very happy. Her love of the Scottish countryside has influenced her to use texture and organic forms in her work that remind her of home. By using handcrafted techniques like felting, sewing, knitting and wrapping, Donna creates a closeness and familiarity that invites people to connect with her products.

Not only is Donna passionate about creating products that people can connect with she is also committed to making things that will last. From her creatures to her upholstery pretty much all of Donna’s designs are made in the UK from 100% natural fibres like Lambswool, which is both highly durable and environmentally friendly. Although achieving this is not always easy, Donna likes to feel that she is doing her bit to keep the declining UK manufacturing industry alive. By making all of her products in the UK, Donna knows all of her manufacturers personally and works with lots of people up and down the country.

Recently she designed an exclusive pouffe for a show called ‘Made in Britain’ at the prestigious London department store, Liberty. In January 2009 Donna had her first solo show at The Lighthouse Gallery in Glasgow entitled ‘Escape to the Woods’. She filled the space with knitted trees and blankets to create her very own Donna World… some people got lost in the knitted world and haven’t been seen since!