It is always nice when someone recognises the pattern on the
bag you are carrying, especially when you least expect to receive some
compliments. This was the case when I attended
the Texprint 2016 Preview this week where 24 young graduates from UK fashion and
design institutions showcased their creative work that gained them a place on
this year’s finalists’ list. The two-day showcase was held at Chelsea College of Art & Design, Millbank, London.
This annual
competition organised by the London-based charity will reach its climax in September as previous years, when
winners of the various categories will be announced in Paris at the prestigious
Premiere Vision fair.
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MALMAISON – JONQUILLE by Christian Lacroix
Malmaison relates to the Chateau Malmaison, bought by Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife during the Directoire era.
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A rare glimpse of summer, it was a sunny day on Wednesday so
I opted to use my Christian Lacroix carry-on bag to hold all the knick-knacks
for the day. The unique bold print
features Lacroix’s signature candy stripes overlaid on bright florals against a
sunny yellow ground (also featured on the Designer Guild furnishing fabric website.)
The optimistic colour palette of this exquisite fabric entitled Malmaison – Jonquille has helped to disband the negative mood I have been feeling since the shock of the EU referendum result hit the global headlines nearly two weeks ago.
The young textile designer who recognised my Lacroix print
was Lydia Knight, one of Texprint’s 2016 finalists at the London preview event.
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| Two of Lydia Knight's selection of botanical prints. Photo: Lucia Carpio |
Although she admitted she is not yet a gardener, Ms Knight
is a keen observer and admirer of the great outdoors as her designs are
predominantly inspired by forms of florals and botanical plants - blooming magnolia, orange blossoms with a scattering of butterflies, and orchids. Obviously a keen lover of nature and formal
gardens, Ms Knight says she hand-pick each flower, leaf, branch and hand draw
them from life, then further develop her drawings into natural formations using
digital print techniques.
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| Lydia Knight Photo: Lucia Carpio |
The oversized scale of the finished work on display signifies that
they are perfect for interior furnishings, although she acknowledges they are
also good for fashion and accessories.
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| A selection of garden-themed prints by Megan Clarke Photo: Lucia Carpio |
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| Megan Clarke at her Texprint stand. Photo: Lucia Carpio |
The garden theme also features boldly in the collection showcased by Megan Clarke, who executed her designs through digital and screen printing inspired by the
vibrantly patterned courtyards hidden within traditional Moroccan riads,
according to the designer, with emphasis on an abstract hand-drawn aesthetic.
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| Megan Clarke's prints for fashion separates. Photo: Lucia Carpio |
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| Amy Smith Photo: Lucia Carpio |
Another finalist who also gains inspirations from flower, or
to be exact, flower markets, is Amy Smith, whose collection of printed designs
are inspired by colourful photography as she explores colour separations
combined with mark making to bring an unexpected edge to a feminine collection.
Print designer Isla Middleton on the other hand prefers to
go for a dark, rich, more subdued and muted colour palette, which also
celebrates the beauty of the plant forms through the use of a variety of image
patterning, contrasting with a flowing elemental aesthetic.
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| Isla Middleton with her nature-inspired prints on linen. Photo: Lucia Carpio |
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| A range of Isla Middleton's designs. Photo: Lucia Carpio |
A keen cyclist who travels on her bike around the UK and
the European continent to experience different cultures, Ms Middleton shows a
quiet sophisticated approach much suited for a wide range of interior
uses. She favours linen mainly as the
main fabric for her creations.
All 24 Texprint 2016 finalists will show off their talent at the prestigious September Premiere Vision Paris fair (September 13 – 15) - in the Indigo segment of the international show. During that time, the winners of this year’s special prizes for the various discipline will be announced in a special ceremony.
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