i’ve been thinking about this post for a little while – a few months even – wanting to share some of the things i have been discovering lately. but it took a different turn recently when i gave a talk at creative mornings. once i had finished there was question time, and someone asked me who were my biggest influences. every one i could think of on the spot was a male. this felt a little hypocritical, particularly after talking about the subconscious struggle i had had in a male-dominated industry.
i did have, and still do have, a lot of female influences, but at that moment my mind went blank (which is not a rare occurence to be honest). so i thought i would dedicate this “new finds” to the laides. here are my top favourite new finds – the ladies version:
1. collier campbell. these two english sisters have been working since the 1960’s, and for the likes of liberty and yves saint laurent, but it wasn’t until i came across their recent book “the collier campbell archive” that i realised i had coveted many of their design for a long time. the book has become my new textile design bible. seeing their work all together in this amazing volume makes me want to throw away my computer and keep a strict gouche-only regime.
(all pictures from the book except the first one which is from here)
2. belle kogan: i discovered belle kogan’s work during an extensive etsy browsing session one day. she was an industrial designer from the late 1920’s and onwards, although like all good designers her work remains current and beautiful. i promptly brought 2 pieces (this is one of them). once they arrived i fell even more in love with them – i can definitely feel another collection coming on.
3. olimpia zagnoli: she is young and brilliant and cute and lives in milan and illustrates for long list of enviable clients. i discovered her work on instagram, and then i saw her extra sweet apartment (which she shares with her matching boyfriend) on freunde von freunden, accompanied by an equally as great interview (aside from giving me major pre-child-life envy). in this interview she also has very nice things to say.
4. kindah khalidy: textile designer and artists based in california – kindah’s work is close to my heart. especially as she makes products which are reasonably priced and useful, with hand-created patterns. ticks all my boxes. check out her lovely shop here.
5. sonia rentsch: sonia’s name keeps popping up all over the place for me lately. she is a lady that is hard to categorise: part stylist, part 3-d illustrator, part set-designer – her skills seem endless. whatever she does turns her hand to, she always puts together beautiful work. see more of her projects on her site:
(last image from current issue of inside out)
some other great local ladies: stampel, emily green, full drop co, harvest, super wild horses (new album ‘crosswords” = amazing) and of course my lovely friend kirra jamison (who’s new show “still point” at sophie gannon is SO GOOD).
one more lady mention: my favourite blog – i’m revolting. su’s taste is original and impeccable and always inspiring. she is the best pinner too.
AND AN ANNOUCMENT: it’s official – i am working on book number 2! thanks to your support ‘Find and Keep’ has gone really well (just about to go into second print!), so i am working on a follow-up of sorts, again with hardie grant, which will be released later this year. exciting. and terrifying. and stressful. and also preventing me from blogging. and many other things too. but you know – you can find me on instagram. think of that as my more updated blog, but with far less words (i.e a much better version).
exhibition details coming up next….
