Meet the Maker

“I am passionate about textiles and sustainability. I believe that vintage textiles tell a story, and I have the honour of keeping those stories alive.”

Hi, I’m Mary Walker, textiles lover, former teacher, and founder of Mary Walker Textiles.

For more than 30 years, I taught Textiles & Design, helping students explore fabric, fashion, and sustainability. But the more I educated others about the impact of fast fashion, the more I had to confront my own choices. I had spent years buying clothing I didn’t need, without fully understanding the financial, ethical and environmental cost. And once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.

That’s when I made a change. I stopped mindless shopping, reimagined my wardrobe, and embraced slow fashion. When I retired from teaching, I knew my next chapter had to be something meaningful, creative, and sustainable—and that’s how Mary Walker Textiles was born.

Now I spend my days rescuing and repurposing the most beautiful preloved fabrics, giving them a second life as contemporary, wearable designs. I work with vintage tablecloths, embroidered linens, and thrifted textiles, carefully upcycling them into one-of-a-kind slow fashion garments that honour both craftsmanship and sustainability.

For me, fashion should tell a story—and the fabrics I use carry history, artistry, and nostalgia. By transforming them into something new, I hope to show that slow fashion isn’t just about being ethical—it’s about wearing something truly special and unique.

I don’t follow trends. I believe in timeless pieces made with love and purpose.