Mia Upton is a rising talent in the world of contemporary textiles, known for her vibrant, expressive weaves that are already making waves.
Since completing her Master’s at the Royal College of Art, she’s burst onto the scene with a bold use of colour and texture, gaining attention through gallery shows, features in magazines and zines, and a growing list of commissions. Her work is joyful, distinctive, and impossible to ignore.
What doesn’t she do??
Weave
Mia loves to make things. She fell head over heels for the rhythm and magic of weaving—the way threads come together to tell a story. With an ADHD mind that never sits still, creating is her calm in the chaos. She’s drawn to bold colours, curious textures, and anything with a bit of a twist. The more unique, the better.
Design
When Mia was a little girl, her school held a family assembly where each child was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The usual answers echoed through the room—doctors, astrophysicists, the occasional astronaut. But when it was Mia’s turn, she stood tall, puffed up her chest, and proudly declared, “A sparkly fairy.”
These days, she says she's a designer.
Secretly? It's still the fairy.
Art
Mia has a sister who used to turn every wall into a crayon canvas. So when Mia came along, she was whisked off to every art and drama club in town—in a hopeful attempt to save the paintwork.
Did it work? Kind of. Her home is still covered in art, but now it’s a little gallery of everything she’s ever loved making. Over the years, she’s tried just about every medium, so it’s an eclectic mix—messy, vibrant, and very much Mia.
About Weaver Creature
Weaver Creature is a sustainably-focussed luxury textiles brand. Founded by designer and artisan weaver, Mia Upton, the brand explores identity, heritage and place through woven textiles. Pulling together inspirations from her background of being born in Hong Kong combined with her Scottish heritage, she blends traditional techniques with a contemporary voice brought alive through bold colour palettes. Techniques used range from hand weaving and Jacquard, embroidery and illustration.
With a Masters in Textiles from the Royal College of Art, Mia’s designs and weaves focus on sustainability. Contrary to the world of fast fashion, Weaver Creature is a brand that focusses on care and craft - from woven art, accessories and homeware to collaborative design, each piece reflects a commitment to meaningful making. When not in the studio designing and weaving, Mia delivers workshops, supports students at a leading creative university, and contributes to industry projects.
“Textiles have the ability to communicate in a way that goes beyond language.” — Zandra Rhodes
FAQs
Where does Weaver Creature come from?
In the final year of my BA, my loom neighbour once looked over at me—hunched over my loom, completely absorbed in the tiniest details—and said I looked like a ‘weaving creature.’ It made me laugh, but it also felt fitting. The name stuck, and Weaver Creature was born.
Why did you chose the spider as your icon ?
I chose a spider as my icon because, like me, they weave. But there's more to it than that.
I was inspired by the story of Robert the Bruce, the Scottish king. After being defeated in battle, he took refuge in a cave, feeling ready to give up. There, he watched a spider repeatedly try to spin its web, failing over and over—but never giving up. Eventually, it succeeded. That persistence inspired him to keep going, and he went on to win his fight against the English.
That story stuck with me. It’s where the phrase ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again’ comes from—and it really speaks to the way I work and create.
Hello!
Got a question, an idea, or just want to chat about colours and textures? I’d love to hear from you. Whether you're dreaming up a custom piece, curious about something in the shop, or simply feeling inspired—my inbox is always open.
Drop me a message anytime, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can (usually with a cup of tea in hand).