Thanks to
modern technology, our daily life has become more efficient, and thus we should
be left with more time to slow down and admire crafts that are lovingly made by hand. As we wake up to the
global crisis of throw-away plastics, hand-crafted home furnishing textiles remind us the joy of appreciating things
that take time to make and indeed can last a long time.
At
100% Design trade fair in London, held in September at Olympia in Kensington, I
met woven textile designer Pamela Print who had her weaving loom
set up in her stand so she could demonstrate her craft. She is the genius behind her wonderful hand-woven
furnishing textile collection that included wall hangings, throws and
cushions that she produces for her own brand.
As a designer
and weaver who is passionate about sustainability, Pamela Print is keen to demonstrate her eco credentials, as all her
products are totally sustainable as her products are all in 100% wool.
For example, the cushions front is made in merino
lambswool and the back fabric is in Harris
Tweed while for the filling she uses eco-friendly British fleece (Dorset Horn.)
Pamela graduated from Central Saint Martins in London with a BA in Textile Design, and is an
alumni of TexSelect (a London-based charity that nurtured and promoted UK
textile graduates for some 50 years) through her career was launched 14 years ago after particpating at Premiere
Vision trade fair in Paris.
Pamela worked for many years in textile and garment supply companies like Dewhirst and
for top brands and retailers including Topshop and Marks & Spencer - before
relocating to Brussels for seven years.
Recently she and family decided to move back to the UK.
But Pamela
has brought Brussels back with her through her geometric patterns that were
inspired by architecture in Brussels with art deco influences. But while on the loom, ideas are developed,
she said.
With a studio
set up outside London in the historical village of Writtle where her designs
are developed and sampled, she has also got an agreement with Bristol Weaving
Mill where small batches can be produced to order.
Also
exhibiting at 100% Design was Lydia Forman, whose hand-woven upholstery fabric
designs won her a place in the Design Fresh area of the trade fair held in
September at Kensington Olympia in London.
Lydia was one of 30 designers selected by curator Barbara Chandler,
design editor of Homes & Property at the London Evening Standard, to
showcase their breakthrough design talent.
Lydia
brings a vibrant modern aesthetic to complex traditional weaving skills, creating cushions, upholstery fabrics, hangings, and flatweave rugs in yarns that
include cotton, silk and Lurex.
She juxtaposes geometric
structures with bright floral colours. Weights and textures are explored using different yarns and
weaving techniques.
Inspiration ranges from the colours of Kew
Gardens to the rigid repeating facades of contemporary architecture. To showcase some of her colourful textile products
was a vintage Ercol sofa and chair at
100% Design which were covered in her fabrics.
A graduate of Loughborough University this year with a BA degree in Textiles: Innovation
and Design, specialising in Woven Textiles, Lydia Forman was also awarded First Prize in the 2019 Loughborough University Enterprise
Award.
All photos by Lucia Carpio.
