Kate Barlow

Expert Overview

Kate grew up in North Wales and originally studied costume at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff and graduated in 2001 with a BA Hons in Theatre Design. Following this she worked at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Welsh National Opera. In 2013 she decided to take the plunge and re-train as an embroidery tutor at the Royal School of Needlework, graduating from the Future Tutors Programme in 2016 with distinction.

During her course, Kate won The Elizabeth Elvin Goldwork Award and The Merchant Taylors Company Outstanding Achievement Award in 2015 and 2016, and was a Heritage Crafts Bursary winner. In 2015 Kate's Advanced Silk Shaded budgie “Smuggler” was accepted and exhibited by the Royal Academy of Arts for their renowned Summer Exhibition. Kate teaches for the RSN in person and online, and until 2019 was as a member of the RSN Studio team. In 2019 Kate moved back to North Wales to set up her own embroidery studio. She has taught for the RSN throughout the UK and in the United States, and has also taught for Creative Experiences, Embroiderers Association of Canada, Embroiderers Guild of America, Needlework Tours and Cruises and The Crewelwork Company.

In 2020 Kate was invited to become a Trade Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers and exhibited in their 400th anniversary exhibition, ‘Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire” at the Guildhall Art Gallery in London in 2023. In 2023, Kate was honoured to be part of the Embroidery Studio team at the Royal School of Needlework who worked on a number of items for the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, including The Queen’s Robe of Estate, the Anointing Screen, Chairs of State and Stole Royal. In 2024, Kate became part of the Royal School of Needlework Fellowship, established to recognise the professional training gained by those who graduated from the Apprenticeship and Future Tutor Programme.