Proposal to clothe artist in interwoven fabric (5)
I believe the answer is:
braid
'interwoven fabric' is the definition.
(fabric interweaving multiple strands)
'proposal to clothe artist' is the wordplay.
'proposal' becomes 'bid' (I've seen this in other clues).
'to clothe' indicates putting letters inside.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'bid' going around 'ra' is 'BRAID'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for braid that I've seen before include "Woven ornamental trimming, often gold" , "woven fabric" , "Ornamental tape or plait" , "Intertwine (hair)" , "Woven ornamental trimming or plait of hair" .)