We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sheila Palmer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sheila, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I was 13 years old, my mother gave me a copy of Vogue Magazine. The fashions were wonderful but it was the bold print designs, rich textures and fibers, that gave me the inspiration for what I do today. It felt like my moment; I knew what I wanted to do and I never looked back. But the journey was much more complex.
My education has spanned graphic arts, signage, graphic designs, fine arts and dressmaking. I earned a Fibers Concentration from College for Creative Studies and a BFA in Fibers & Art History from Wayne State University. I’ve travelled globally and had the opportunity to learn about different cultures and techniques while working beside diverse artisans who share the same passions I do. These experiences lead me to do trade & fine art shows, private commissions and textile conservation, all while teaching seminars and workshops throughout my community. Eventually, I opened a boutique on Second Street in Detroit. But the building exploded water pipes and we had to close down close to our 1 year anniversary.Sharing my work in a retail capacity felt like the pinnacle of my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Quetarshe Textile Design Studio, creates sustainable textiles in print design and fiber textiles designed for fashion, home decor, commercial, residential and hospitality industries. We create for the wholesale and retail market. In creating products from home decor, wearable fashion and unique pieces for residential and contract customers we are using materials are all natural and plant bases. We are creating products that is kinder to our planet and fair to the people who make them. It’s a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, and ethical impacts throughout the entire lifecycle of a fabric.

This year, we’re doing some exciting trends emerge, like Circular Economy & Up cycling, which focuses on minimizing waste by repurposing old items into new creations.
The textiles is another trend that’s gaining momentum, allowing brands to produce only what’s needed, reducing excess inventory and waste.

We’re also seeing a rise in Sustainable Materials, with designers getting creative with eco-friendly materials and production methods.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Another key theme is
Collaborative Partnerships to scale next-gen materials, which is crucial for reducing the industry’s environmental impact. Our Brand is starting to work more closely with material innovators to integrate sustainable materials into their supply chains. Additionally, there’s a growing emphasis on Transparency and Accountability, with consumers demanding more information about the environmental & social impact of textile products, interior, commercial and residential all to the trade.
This is leading to the chains. Additionally, there’s a growing emphasis on Transparency and Accountability, with consumers demanding more information about the environmental and social impact of their products . This is leading to the development of technologies like Digital Product Passports, which enable brands to track and share information about their products’ origins, materials, and environmental footprint.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Overall, sustainable textiles is an exciting and rapidly evolving space, with new innovations and initiatives emerging all the time. Now as a product textiles design studio, consumers now have the power to drive change by making informed choices about the fabrics and materials and support brands that prioritize sustainability and transparency, like us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Quetarshetextiles.com
• Instagram: IG: que_tar_she tex_tiles
• Facebook: http//;www.Facebook/Quetarshe
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Quetarshe

Image Credits

Quileen M Adams & Sheila M Palmer