Anurita Chandola

Anurita Chandola, a spacewear and textiles artist with an interest in the planet Mars, has been nominated for Putting Reading on the Map, sponsored by The Purple Turtle and Jacobs the Jewellers.

Anurita’s work investigates how living resourcefully on Mars can inspire more sustainable ways of being on Earth. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, she explores the intersection of fashion, sustainability and space exploration, said her nominator.

The award recognises a group, business or individual who by their commitment and dedication, will have raised the profile of our fantastic town in a positive and influential light regionally, nationally or internationally.

Anurita investigates how to care for the emotional and physical well-being of future space travellers through clothing, the nomination says.

Her work combines storytelling, resourcefulness and innovation, creating garments out of NASA's Perseverance rover parachute fabric and leading textile design for the Building a Martian House project.

She recently gave a TED talk exploring how to create meaningful wardrobes for life on Mars using sustainable and culturally rooted practices.

Anurita has worked with local events to offer sustainable fashion workshops, led the Sustainable Fashion Show at Reading Water Fest for two years and educates children in local schools about sustainable fashion.

An expert in sustainable fashion and textiles, she offers guidance on revitalising wardrobes, minimising waste and addressing sustainable fashion challenges.