the story so far…

Woman smiling, wearing sunglasses, a blue denim shirt, and a colorful scarf, standing next to a large tree with a split trunk, in front of a rustic stone wall with small windows, under a clear blue sky.

Inspired by a 'slow' ethos that celebrates artisan skills and the local provenance of materials, Aviva colours her world with natural dyes, using traditional skills to produce contemporary woven and stitched textiles.

With a background in fashion in South Africa, Aviva rediscovered textiles after a 'eureka' moment on a roof terrace in Marrakech in 2007, when she decided to quit her boring corporate job in the UK, follow her heart and become a full time art student. As George Eliot allegedly said... "It's never too late to be who you might have been."

After graduating from Norwich University of the Arts with a BA (Hons) Textiles, Aviva has spent the last 15 years delivering workshops in weave and plant dyeing and creating textiles experiences in Norfolk and Morocco. More recently her work has centred around promoting local artisans and craftsmanship with various interior design projects including Shirehall Apartments, establishing The Holt Sunday Market and the unique concept store that is Make Holt.

Now she feels it is time to focus on her own creativity and embark on exciting new projects!

Back in ‘her happy place’ - Morocco has always held a special place in her heart and after completing a design collaboration with a co-operative of weavers and dyers making hand made rugs and woven textiles in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Aviva is now based just outside the coastal city of Essaouira.

In May 2026 Aviva launches her custom built dye and weave studio offering the unique opportunity to experience either half/one day group workshops or on bespoke residential masterclasses.

She continues to develop her own designs working alongside local interior architects and sells her limited edition pieces at L’Atelier in Essaouira,

View of a weaving loom with red thread, partially assembled, in a craft room. A wooden shuttle is resting on the loom. In the background, there are shelves with various supplies, and a sign on the wall that reads 'AVA LEIGH'.

STUDIO VISITS

WEAVE STUDIO :

located a short drive from Essaouira in DOUAR LARAAB,

contact us here

studio visits by appointment

TEL (+212) 0716 783 834