Showing posts with label LAPADA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LAPADA. Show all posts

Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Art and Textiles: Scabal Unveils Dalí-Inspired Fabric Collection

Scabal, one of the United Kingdom’s most renowned producers of luxury fabrics, is set to unveil a new collection of twelve exclusive fabrics, each inspired by a different painting by Salvador Dalí. 

The collection is presented in collaboration with LAPADA, the Art and Antiques Fair which returns to Berkeley Square, London from 28 October to 2 November 2025.

LAPADA fair in London's Berkeley Square brings together dealers showcasing expertise across the full spectrum of art and antiques — from fine furniture, paintings, and carpets to tapestries, antiquities, clocks, ceramics, silver, decorative objects, and jewellery.

The launch marks the introduction of Scabal’s Limited Edition by Dalí collection—a line of bespoke suits crafted from the brand’s signature Vision fabric.

Reflecting the vivid hues of both butterfly and figure in Dalí’s The Mimetic Character, this fabric translates the artwork’s surreal anatomy into woven form. A satin weave line evokes the elongated limbs of the insect-like silhouette, while a graceful curved stitch traces the rounded edge that frames its body. The interplay of these elements creates two distinct stripe depths, lending the fabric a quiet dynamism and a sense of movement that echoes Dalí’s original vision.

The collaboration revisits a remarkable moment in fashion history. In 1971, Salvador Dalí envisioned the future of menswear through a series of twelve visionary paintings, created exclusively for Scabal. More than five decades later, the British brand has drawn inspiration from those original works to produce a collection that blends art and tailoring in a uniquely modern way.

Each fabric in the collection captures the spirit of a specific Dalí painting, reinterpreting his surreal colours, forms, and motifs through a contemporary lens. Every suit will be custom-made and finished with one of five exclusive linings, reflecting both the artist’s boundless imagination and Scabal’s exceptional craftsmanship.

Taking its cue from Dalí’s 4 Cravates, this design centres on the striking black-and-white stitching that defines the multiple collars worn by the painting’s refined School Kid. Against a softly mottled grey ground, an irregular white stitch is woven into one of two stripes, introducing a tactile, graphic rhythm. The second stripe features a structured green weave that mirrors the distinctive form of the four cravats themselves, uniting texture, tone, and artistry in a single, elegant composition.

“Dalí’s work was ahead of its time, and this collection allows us to explore how his creativity can continue to inspire modern tailoring,” said a spokesperson for Scabal’s design team. “We’ve revisited the colours, shapes, and intricate details of his paintings to create fabrics that bridge art and fashion.”

Drawing on Dalí’s The Stylish Footman, Scabal’s designers have transformed the ink illustration of a lion’s head—poised on the figure’s shoulder—into a contemporary textile masterpiece. A micro-weave fabric, featuring a repeating motif shaped from the elegant curls of the lion’s mane, lends intricate texture and a refined lustre to a deep, dark blue ground. Subtle red tones, woven through a delicate check pattern, recall the painting’s original palette, creating a sophisticated dialogue between art and cloth.

Founded in 1938, Scabal has long been associated with sartorial excellence, supplying fabrics to leading tailors and fashion houses worldwide. Alongside its textiles, the company produces its own range of made-to-measure and prêt-à-porter suits, jackets, and shirts, available through Scabal boutiques across Europe and Asia.

Still a family-owned business, Scabal continues to operate its heritage mill in England, which has been weaving since 1899. With full European production and direct sourcing of premium raw materials, the brand prides itself on maintaining complete quality control—from “sheep to shop, field to fold, and camel to coat.”

The Limited Edition by Dalí collection reaffirms Scabal’s place at the intersection of fine art and fine tailoring, celebrating a shared legacy of creativity, craftsmanship, and timeless style.

To view the Vision collection, click HERE.  

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Antiques Fair News: London's LAPADA Fair Runs October 22-27, 2024, Featuring Luxury Wall-Coverings by Fromental

The LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, taking place from October 22 to 27 in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, remains a premier destination for those passionate about fine art, furniture, jewellery, and collectibles. Known for blending tradition with modern luxury, the fair is organized by the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA) and is renowned for its meticulously curated exhibits. It continues to serve as a vibrant hub for antique and art trading in central London, attracting an international audience.

Fromental's hand-embroidered designs at Decorex 2024.  Photo by Lucia Carpio

This year, British brand Fromental, celebrated for its luxury wall-coverings featuring hand-painted and hand-embroidered designs, especially in the chinoiserie style, plays a prominent role through two special collaborations. One of these showcases their iconic chinoiserie design, which wraps the exterior of Berkeley Square, paying tribute to the venue's historical significance and timeless elegance.

At the Decorex interiors fair held at Kensington Olympia, London October 6-9 2024, 
Fromental presented a selection of hand-painted and embroidered silk panels suspended overhead,  with walls on either side showing the brand's embroidered chinoiserie wall-coverings.
Photo by Lucia Carpio

In addition, an innovative use of Augmented Reality (AR) allows visitors to scan the design with their smartphones and watch as the intricate Nightingale songbird comes to life and takes flight, adding a dynamic, interactive element to the artwork. This fusion of tradition and modern technology offers a fresh, engaging way to experience the craftsmanship behind Fromental’s designs. 
Lizzie Deshayes, Creative Director at Fromental, explains, "This collaboration explores the interplay between historical influences and contemporary design. By integrating technology with classical art, we’re pushing creative boundaries while staying true to our roots."
The exterior wrap pays homage to classical craftsmanship, featuring rich details such as magnolias, fruit trees, and peonies, all brought to life through Fromental’s signature hand-painted artistry. It's a celebration of historical techniques reimagined for the present, demonstrating how tradition can evolve alongside modern innovation.

Inside the LAPADA fair, Fromental’s wall coverings also grace the restaurant space, providing visitors with an immersive backdrop that further enriches their sensory experience.
A Bespoke Design for the Berkeley Square Collective stand,
curated by the talented Stephanie Barba Mendoza, features Nobuko from Fromental.

Meanwhile, another of Fromental's bespoke wallpaper designs is showcased at the Berkeley Square Collective stand, curated by designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza. The wallpaper, titled Nobuko, draws inspiration from Stephanie’s recent travels to Tokyo and the works of French sculptor Ivan Leon Alexandre Blanchot. Combining Art Deco influences with modern techniques, the design presents a striking fusion of elegance and history.

Hand-finished on iridescent paper, Nobuko features a floral motif in a trompe l'œil style, resembling a stone bas-relief. It is framed by faux marbles inspired by the Villa of Mysteries in Pompeii, creating a space that captures both historical richness and contemporary artistry. Stephanie’s curation of the stand artfully weaves together art, antiques, and design, offering visitors a distinctive experience that bridges the past with the present.

Fromental's silk panels at Decorex 2024
Photo by Lucia Carpio

At the Decorex interiors fair, held at Kensington Olympia, London, from October 6-9, 2024, Fromental presented a stunning display of hand-painted and embroidered silk panels suspended overhead, flanked by walls showcasing the brand's signature embroidered chinoiserie wall-coverings. 


Photo by Lucia Carpio

The centerpiece of the installation was a striking creation from fashion designer Harris Reed’s couture collection, as seen above, crafted from Fromental’s silk wallcovering panels and previously featured at the Met Gala in New York.  The dramatic ensemble featured a three-dimensional corset, a draped train and extra-flared trousers.

Fromental was founded in 2005 by Tim Butcher and Lizzie Deshayes.  Their high-end wall-coverings are often seen in luxury interiors around the world, including private homes, hotels, and commercial spaces.