Product Launch: Fable England collaborates with The Natural History Museum for new AW24 collection

British heritage jewellery, accessories and sleepwear brand, Fable England, have launched a capsule collection with London’s iconic Natural History Museum for AW24.

Inspired by the natural world, British fashion brand Fable England thoughtfully weaves tales from British literature into each of their collections, and their latest collaboration with London’s Natural History Museum is no exception. United by a shared passion for nature, Fable England and the Museum embraced the chance to explore the Museum's remarkable collections—a treasure trove of artwork, manuscripts, and rare books—in search of inspiration for this new autumn/winter 2024 collection now available on fableengland.com.

With more than 80 million specimens in the Museum's archives, the challenge was choosing the right narrative to follow. Ultimately, the story that captivated the Fable England team was that of Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717), a pioneering entomologist. Defying the societal expectations of 17th-century women, Merian transformed the scientific understanding of insect life cycles, leaving a lasting legacy.

Maria Sibylla Merian’s 1705 publication, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, marked the first scientific documentation of what we now call metamorphosis. Her meticulously detailed, hand-colored plates have since inspired generations of natural history illustrators, artists, and entomologists.

Fable England drew from Merian’s and her daughter Johanna Helena Herolt’s botanical illustrations to create their abstract botanical luxury print, "Floral Engravings," which serves as the foundation for the entire collection. The print’s intricate borders, with elements of fine carvings and geometric patterns, were inspired by Alfred Waterhouse’s architectural blueprints for the Natural History Museum.

The Floral Engravings collection honours the artistic and scientific achievements of this mother-daughter duo, symbolizing new beginnings, unconditional love, and a lifelong devotion to their craft and one another.

Fable England’s Creative Director, Vanessa Radley, reflects on the collaboration: “We were thrilled when the opportunity arose to work with the Natural History Museum. It was an ideal partnership for such a special capsule collection for AW24.”

“One of the highlights for me,” Vanessa adds, “was the unforgettable experience of visiting the Museum’s Rare Books Library and meeting Special Collections Manager, Andrea Hart. The design team was given the chance to explore priceless rare books, including beautiful illustrated studies in botany, entomology, and ornithology. I was especially excited to discover that some of the artwork we selected for our hero print, Floral Engravings, was actually the work of Maria Merian’s daughter, Johanna Helena Herolt, whose illustrations are often mistaken for her mother’s.”

Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, also praised the collaboration: “Our shared values and commitment to showcasing the beauty of the natural world made this partnership a natural fit. This collection celebrates the groundbreaking work of Maria Sibylla Merian, a true pioneer for women in science. Sustainability was a key focus for both Fable England and the NHM, and the collection reflects that commitment, featuring materials like TENCEL™, recycled PU, and recycled nylon.”

All images courtesy of Fable England.