Darryl Bedford Textile Artist: Spotlight on Origami Textile Art
At Scarlet Destiny, sustainability in fashion is never a static conversation — it’s an ever-evolving dialogue with art, craft, innovation, and community. Each month, through our “Spotlight On” series, we shine a light on the makers, designers, and initiatives who are redefining what fashion can be. From cutting-edge biomaterials to heritage techniques reimagined, these stories are all bound by the same ethos we hold at Scarlet Destiny: a commitment to creativity, responsibility, and building a more inclusive, sustainable future.
This month, we turn our attention to an artist whose work sits beautifully at the crossroads of design, therapy, and sustainability: Darryl Bedford, the visionary behind Drawstring Origami.
The Birth of Drawstring Origami
Darryl Bedford, an Australian-born paper engineer now based in London, has pioneered a new frontier in paper art. Blending the folding traditions of origami with the structural play of kirigami, he developed a distinctive process that introduces cuts, strings, and glue to create highly flexible, modular forms.
At the heart of Drawstring Origami lies the concept of hinges — tiny cuts that allow paper surfaces to bend, flex, and move in unexpected ways. The result is a dynamic material that is not only visually captivating but also tactile, versatile, and surprisingly strong. Unlike traditional origami, which tends to celebrate rigidity, Bedford’s creations invite motion and transformation, embodying a spirit of fluidity that feels both futuristic and deeply human.
Beyond Paper: A Medium for Fashion and Design
Though rooted in paper, Bedford’s practice has transcended its original medium. His folds have been scaled up for architectural collaborations, transformed into kinetic lighting installations at Milan’s Salone del Mobile, and even adapted into garments that walked the London runway. Working with designer Gareth Volka, Bedford’s origami dresses blurred the line between art and fashion, proving that this humble material has a place not only in the gallery but on the catwalk.
His signature designs — from the versatile Curved Bliss fold, already seen in lighting and fashion, to the tactile Lattice Fold and the colour-shifting Anamorphic Fold — show just how limitless this craft can be. Each design feels alive, constantly shifting depending on how it’s handled, viewed, or worn.
For Scarlet Destiny, this speaks directly to the future of sustainable fashion. Materials that begin with simplicity — paper, string, glue — are transformed through ingenuity into objects of performance, elegance, and meaning. They remind us that innovation doesn’t always require resource-heavy solutions; sometimes, it’s about reimagining what we already have.
Creativity as Therapy
What makes Drawstring Origami especially compelling is its therapeutic foundation. Bedford began working with paper during a period of grief, following the loss of his mother. What started as a way to process trauma became a practice rooted in healing and mindfulness. Today, he champions the craft not only as art but as therapy. The meditative rhythm of folding, cutting, and stringing offers a form of release — calming the nervous system, improving focus, and creating space for reflection. This resonates deeply with Scarlet Destiny’s own mission to see fashion and craft as tools for well-being, connection, and empowerment, rather than just consumption.
As a neurodivergent artist, Bedford describes his dyslexia as a “superpower,” allowing him to see patterns and possibilities in ways others might miss. His advocacy for neurodiversity and inclusivity mirrors the values we uphold at Scarlet Destiny: celebrating difference as a driver of creativity, and pushing fashion toward greater empathy and representation.
The future of Drawstring Origami, Bedford believes, lies not only in its artistic potential but in its capacity to inform sustainable materials. From paper therapy toys to conceptual runway garments, his work gestures towards a vision of fashion that is recyclable, tactile, and rooted in innovation. By collaborating with engineers, architects, and even soft robotics labs, he’s proving that this art form has structural applications beyond clothing. But in fashion, his hope is clear: that origami-inspired designs might one day form part of an environmentally friendly material mainstream, one that embraces recyclability without sacrificing beauty or performance.
Why Scarlet Destiny is Spotlighting Drawstring Origami
For Scarlet Destiny, celebrating Darryl Bedford’s Drawstring Origami means more than admiring intricate folds. It’s about recognising how his work embodies the principles we believe in: sustainability, inclusivity, creativity, and healing. It reminds us that fashion can be both playful and profound, experimental yet accessible, sustainable while still aspirational.
Through innovation and artistry, Bedford is challenging us to rethink not only what materials we use, but how design can touch lives — whether that’s on the runway, in a therapy session, or in the quiet act of folding paper at home.
As we continue to champion brands and creatives who are reimagining the fashion industry, Drawstring Origami stands as a radiant example: proof that sometimes the most transformative ideas begin with something as simple as a sheet of paper.
Want to explore Darryl Bedford’s world of Drawstring Origami? He generously shares free tutorials and resources for anyone wanting to learn the craft. At Scarlet Destiny, we believe that learning, making, and experimenting are all part of building a more sustainable fashion culture. Whether you’re a designer, a maker, or simply someone who loves beautiful ideas, we encourage you to explore this captivating art form.
Sources: itv.com, drawstringorigami.com
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