Szilvia Burrows

Before joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2019, I was a junior product technologist at Joseph Joseph, and at Tom Dixon previously.

I studied for my BA Hons, Textiles and Surface Design at Buckinghamshire New University and my specialist area of interest is constructed textiles. It is intriguing because machine knitting on a vintage, industrial hand flat knitting machine is a specialist craft; not many people practices this therefore it’s a dying trade as everything is computerised now.

I am a member of the Technical Resources team at BNU.

My career highlight is setting up my small, ethical knitwear business, Knitluxe Studio, creating luxurious Merino Wool knitwear, knitted gifts and homeware that are unique and kind to the planet.

My specialist knowledge has led me to being part and being a supporter of The Campaign for Wool. The Campaign for Wool is a global endeavour initiated by its patron, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, to raise awareness amongst consumers about the unique, natural, renewable, and biodegradable benefits offered by the fibre, contributing to a greener planet and ethical consumerism.

By teaching this dying trade at BNU, I can carry this craft forward for future generations along advertising sustainable and ethical making and sourcing practices.

• Knitwear Technician