The inspiration:
Primitive Streak was essentially a gift from my sister Kate, at a time when I needed new direction. On a yellow ‘post-it note’ marked with a “?” she sent me a leaflet from the Wellcome Trust announcing a new scheme ‘Sci/Art’ – an initiative to bring artists and scientists together.

What it is:
Kate is a developmental biologist and she showed me her world. We had an idea to design a collection that communicated its wonder to others. Primitive Streak became a work that elucidated the first 1,000 hours of human life in textiles and dress. 27 pieces take the viewer on a journey from fertilisation to the recognisable human form.

What it is doing now:
A double award-winning project, Primitive Streak has toured in 7 countries since 1997, been seen by 3 million people and has been life changing. In collaboration with Creative Partnerships (an initiative of the Arts Council England) it has been used as the blueprint for a ’Creative Lab’, a concept which is now being replicated across the UK. It provides unique curricular inspiration for new teaching and learning. A Lab was created in Derby with East Midlands Creative Partnerships in spring this year and current plans include a LAB in Northern Ireland. Please view news to find out more. It is our hope that the work will find a permanent home in 2008.