Creating a Knot Wrap Revolution: The Art of Passing Forward
Date: 2 May – 5 June 2026
Location: University House, AUB Campus
Presented at Arts University Bournemouth, as part of TheGallery’s exhibition and events programme for 2025–26, this exhibition showcases the innovative responses of BA (Hons) Textiles Design students to a live brief centred on reimagining the future of Knot Wraps. Developed in collaboration with Lush, the project explores how design can inspire more sustainable, meaningful approaches to gift-giving.
At the heart of the exhibition is the Knot Wrap: a simple square of fabric with extraordinary potential. Inspired by the centuries-old Japanese practice of Furoshiki, these multifunctional textiles offer an alternative to single-use wrapping paper and plastic bags. Through thoughtful design, students were challenged to celebrate the adaptability, beauty and longevity of Knot Wraps, while envisioning their role in a more sustainable future.
The works on display highlight not only aesthetic innovation but also the emotional and cultural significance embedded in these objects. Knot Wraps are presented as more than functional items they become carriers of memory, connection and shared experience. By encouraging the act of passing forward reusing, regifting and exchanging wraps among friends and family, the exhibition proposes a shift toward circular traditions of giving. Each piece becomes part of an evolving story, returning unexpectedly, sparking joy and strengthening bonds between people.
A key focus of the project is the launch of Lush’s new Knot Wrapping book in May 2026. In support of this, students were invited to design an original 70cm Knot Wrap. The designs created demonstrate the versatility of the format, showcasing how a single textile can transform into gift wrap, fashion accessory or everyday utility object, from bags to headscarves and beyond.
Creating a Knot Wrap Revolution ultimately invites viewers to reconsider the lifecycle of objects and the rituals surrounding them. It celebrates sustainable materials, creative reuse and the power of design to foster lasting traditions where wrapping becomes not waste, but a meaningful act of sharing, storytelling and continuity across generations.
It’s been a real pleasure collaborating with the AUB Textiles Design students on this live brief and seeing their creative responses to the future of Knot Wrap. Inspired by the idea of ‘creating a Knot Wrap revolution’ and ‘the art of passing forward’, celebrating Knot Wrap as something reusable, meaningful and made to be shared, swapped and enjoyed again and again. It feels like a really special collaboration, and a lovely prelude to the launch of our Knot Wrap book this July.
Meet the Curators
Charlotte Hunt
Charlotte Hunt is a Lecturer on BA (Hons) Textiles Design at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), where she combines academic teaching with...
Emma Tardif
Emma Tardif is Gift Design Lead at Lush, where she has spent over a decade shaping innovative, art-led gifting ranges...
Special thanks to Emma Tardif, Matt Fairhall, Shannon Lund, and Carey Ellis from Lush, Poole, as well as colleagues from Arts University Bournemouth including Gemma Summerell, Isabella Sheridan, Hattie Carver, Isabel Farrow, Aston Baker, Violet M. McClean and William Hernandez Abreu.
Partnerships and collaborations at AUB
Textiles surround us – they're one of the largest design skill sets used globally. On BA (Hons) Textiles Design, you'll hone your practical and professional skills to work with all types of different materials and find your place in the vast industry.
TheGallery is an award-winning and internationally recognised space and provides a wide-reaching public platform for the arts within the sub-region. Promoting the University’s shared passion for excellence in education, industry and the sector, TheGallery provides a means by which AUB can enact its values: Innovative, Collaborative, Connected and Passionate.
Throughout the year, TheGallery works on a variety of exhibitions, events and projects with AUB stakeholders across the University to create opportunities for students and staff to showcase their areas, courses, practices and work.
Creating a Knot Wrap Revolution: The Art of Passing Forward is an example of one of these collaborative projects, this time with BA (Hons) Textiles Design and Lush, Poole, where TheGallery team leads on curating and exhibition design with its AUB project partners.
The work of TheGallery embodies the University’s promise to promote civic and cultural engagement for positive impact and our commitment to ensuring that education and the arts are accessible to all, for those here at AUB and beyond.
We're proud of our alumni and rightfully so. Many of them have gone on to do incredible things!
AUB’s alumni community, AUB&, is a continuation of our campus, a home and a network for all of our wonderful graduates. It's a place to find out what everyone’s been up to and generally stay a part of our creative community.
AUB& is open to all students who've graduated from the university, whether under AUB or any previous titles (Arts University College Bournemouth, Arts Institute at Bournemouth, and Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design).
Lush was founded in 1995 by six co-founders: Mo Constantine, Mark Constantine, Rowena Bird, Helen Ambrosen, Liz Bennett and Paul Greeves. Since its establishment more than 25 years ago, the company has been driven by innovation and strong ethical values.
Lush Ltd. is a British cosmetics retailer headquartered in Poole. The company produces and sells a wide range of products, including creams, soaps, shampoos, shower gels, lotions, moisturisers, scrubs, masks and other cosmetics for the face and hair.
Lush states that it uses only vegetarian recipes, with around 95% of its products also being vegan. Today, the company operates stores in 51 countries worldwide and runs production facilities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Japan, Australia and Poland.
Lush and Arts University Bournemouth have developed a long-standing partnership centred on innovation, sustainable design and enhancing student employability. Since 2018, the collaboration has provided students with valuable real-world experience through live briefs, industry-led workshops, collaborative projects, exhibitions and prototyping opportunities.
Students, particularly those studying Graphic Design and Illustration, engage in a wide range of creative challenges, including developing sustainable packaging solutions, designing branding for LGBTQ+ events and contributing to product innovation. These projects not only foster creativity but also build professional skills, with some students progressing to internship opportunities with Lush.
A new addition to the partnership this year is the inclusion of Textiles Design, further expanding the scope for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Key Aspects of the Partnership
- Industry Collaboration: AUB's Innovation Studio partners with Lush to turn product ideas into reality.
- Live Projects: Students have participated in projects tackling "awkward" packaging and creating sustainable design solutions, working alongside Lush's R&D staff.
- Internships and Employment: High-achieving graphic design students at AUB have won internships at Lush after delivering industry-standard live briefs.
- Creative Briefs: First-year graphic design students have developed wellbeing-themed designs for Lush, often displayed at major events.
- Industry Recognition: Lush serves as an industry patron for AUB's BA (Hons) Illustration course, highlighting their commitment to sustainable visual design.
AUB and Lush news and projects
AUB's Innovation Studio has been working with Lush since 2018, supporting them with digital fabrication prototyping to turn their ideas into proof of concept.
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AUB students collaborate for Poole Pride: ‘We didn’t know if it was a revolution or a party’
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LUSH to use BA (Hons) Graphic Design first years' designs at major music festivals
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LUSH collaborated with AUB to deliver another unique R&D challenge, this time exploring the future of packaging.
AUB joins with Lush to champion accessibility and sustainability in packaging
AUB students have been collaborating with Lush to improve accessibility and sustainability in packaging across their product range
BA (Hons) Illustration – Industry Patron – Lush
For the past 25 years, Lush has pioneered intricate pictorially exciting products such as the fizzing bath bomb, shower jellies...
