Lisa Stannard illustration: People, places, things

What Texprint means to me: Lisa Stannard

18 February 2012

Designer and illustrator Lisa Stannard credits her Texprint experience in 2009 as being the catalyst for setting up her own business. Lisa, who won the Texprint Colour Prize that year, cites her inspirations as: nature, people, 1970s Pucci, Japanese artists and fashion, and fashion photography. Lisa’s versatile and sensitive graphic style, effortlessly encompasses printed textiles and fashion illustration. 

What did you gain from the Texprint programme?

I don’t think that I would have had the confidence to set up on my own if it wasn’t for Texprint. Not only did we receive great advice on becoming a self-employed designer, but the Texprint team offered impartial advice on our work, suggesting ways to improve it, as well as ideas for future projects. Before we exhibited at Indigo, Paris we were given advice on how to handle potential clients and how best to show your work to buyers. Another bonus was that I made some really good friends, who I remain in touch with to this day.

Lisa Stannard, feather print for LA based brand Whitney Eve, left, illustrated tote bag, centre, print design for Matthew Williamson, Spring 2011, right

Your career highlights so far?

Winning the Texprint Colour Prize was a great start, as it came with a donation from Pantone, Europe and the opportunity to exhibit my work in Hong Kong at Interstoff Asia Essential - which was an amazing experience. Setting up my own business was a major achievement after Texprint. I have learned so much about business while being challenged all the time by new clients and fresh projects. At times it has been really hard, and I have often wondered if I could get it all done – and whether I was running my business right... and then suddenly great things happened. I was lucky to gather amazing clients early on, who I then formed great relationships with. I’ve designed for ASOS, Miss Selfridge and Victoria’s Secret, as well as illustrating catwalk collections for Amelia’s Magazine, and for UK fashion chain Oasis’s style magazine in association with the creative design agency Mill Co.

Lisa Stannard print

I have developed a strong relationship with Whitney Eve, a LA based brand created by US TV personality and designer, Whitney Port. After working with the brand for some time now, I’ve recently accepted a position as a designer with the company based in LA. I contribute to the creative development of the brand, working closely with Whitney to achieve her vision - by helping to design the range, including all the print collections, the look book, tags and website artwork. The brand has a place at the runway shows at New York Fashion Week, held in the Lincoln Centre on February 15, 2012, and I’ve been there helping with the show – it’s all very exciting. I’m also proud to have been featured on Vogue.com last year, following a commission to illustrate Lily Allen’s debut fashion collection. I’ll maintain my online shop selling art prints and a limited T-shirt collection.  

Lisa Stannard illustrations for the Lucy in Disguise debut collection as featured on Vogue.com

Key advice to new graduates?

Be optimistic, put yourself out there and meet new people and network.

Be prepared to work hard, most students I talk to (through my teaching work) can’t wait to graduate – thinking they will never have to do as much work again... but I tell them - this is where the hard work begins! 

Do lots of internships with a variety of companies - I wish that I had done more while I was still at university. I interned at Matthew Williamson after graduating for three and a half months in 2010, and although I had to fund much of this myself, it was great, I came back to my own business feeling more confident and reassured in my profession - I learnt so much from everyone there. 

Don’t lose your creativity, if you are thinking of going into business alone there is loads of admin and business development work to do which can take precious time away from designing... stay inspired!

http://www.lisastannard.com

http://lisastannard.tumblr.com/

Alice Temperley in her studio

Alice Temperley MBE: fabulous fabrics and fashion success

16 December 2011

Fashion designer to the A-list, Alice Temperley is one of Texprint’s most successful alumni. In 2011 she celebrated her 10^th anniversary in the fashion industry, a year in which she was awarded an MBE for services to the fashion industry in the New Year Honours list; she received the Designer of the Year Award at the Hollywood Style Awards in November; and in which she published True British, an archive of her work.

Alice’s love of fabric has always been the starting point for her designs. Her reputation has been built on creating delicately beautiful clothes, which are often lavished with lace, embroidery and beading. These exquisite pieces have made her a favourite of celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Helena Christiansen, Florence Welch and Kate Middleton, now The Duchess of Cambridge. And in a huge publicity coup, Pippa Middleton wore a dazzling emerald Temperley dress to the evening reception of this year’s Royal Wedding.

Alice Temperley: embroidery detail

In 2010 Alice brought out a diffusion line, ALICE by Temperley, of  which Alice says: “I had wanted to create a more affordable range for a long time, and the continuing recession just brought these plans forward. ALICE has a funky, youthful, bohemian and eclectic appeal.” The label has already gained an impressive list of fans, including Rihanna, Emma Watson and Beyoncé.

Alice’s output is prolific; along with her design team of just five, she creates 13 collections a year including bridalwear. Stocked in an impressive 220 boutiques in 35 countries, Alice and her husband Lars von Bennigsen, the company’s CEO, have plans to make Temperley an all-encompassing lifestyle brand to include homeware, menswear and childrenswear, as well as on-going collaborations with British heritage brands Barbour and Twinings.

Apart from her talent and much hard work, Alice’s success is undoubtedly linked to her innate understanding of what women want to wear, regardless of trends. She explains: “I’m inspired by lots of different eras; the 1920s, ‘30s and ’70s are all particular reference points, mixing in elements from Film Noir and Hollywood romance. I’ve built up a huge archive of imagery and materials over the years which I’m always adding and referring to. I’m also inspired by many stylish women that I know, women who dress for themselves, just throwing pieces together to look amazing.”

Alice Temperley working on final details

Alice showed an entrepreneurial streak from a very early age - making and selling her own jewellery at 11, working with print at 14, and making and selling her first clothes at just 18. She went on to study printed textiles at Central St Martins, followed by an MA at the RCA.

Alice was selected by Texprint in 1999 and has been a champion of the charity since then, lending her support as a judge for the Print Prize in 2006. She has employed Texprint-selected talent, who she describes as “excellent”. Alice feels that being chosen for Texprint is a badge of excellence and dedication. She says: “The Texprint experience gives young designers an invaluable confidence to pursue varied careers in the industry.” Her advice to new design graduates is: “Get as much work experience as possible so that you become aware of the wide and varied career paths that are now open to you.” Also, especially in the current climate: “Be determined and never give up.”

Temperley London

http://www.temperleylondon.com/

ALICE by Temperley

http://www.alicebytemperley.com/

Anne Selby pleated shibori scarf. Image courtesy of Nadine Elhage

Wearable Art event at Margo Selby

28 October 2011

The Wearable Art event at Margo Selby’s London shop from October 27 until November 4, 2011, is a chance to see and buy pieces from some of the UK’s best textile and jewellery designers. Texprint alumna, Margo will reveal a new range of jackets alongside covetable pieces from 11 specially invited guests: Wallace Sewell, Allison Willoughby, Anne Selby, Carole Waller, Emma Burton, Jane Adam, Lesley Strickland, Makeba Lewis, Liz Clay, Rowena Park and Tammy Child.

Margo Selby store interior

Such an array of respected artists and craftspeople is rarely found in one place, so this is a great opportunity to see their beautiful pieces in close-up, ideal for anyone seeking a special gift in the run-up to the festive season.

Scarves by Wallace Sewell

Among many highlights, wonderful, colourful woven scarves and throws will be available from design duo Wallace Sewell.  Anne Selby’s extravagantly beautiful silk and organza scarves and stoles will also be on sale. Created from her clever use of sophisticated techniques including arashi shibori pleating, hand painting and screen printing, the pieces are unique. Emma Burton’s colourful, contemporary digital prints will also feature at the event - Emma’s range includes clothing, accessories and cushions.

Bag by Margo Selby

Also included in the wonderfully varied selection are hand painted clothes by artist Carole Waller and jewellery by Jane Adam and Rowena Park.

http://www.margoselby.com/

Wearable Art: October 27 until November 4, 2011

Margo Selby shop opening times

Monday- Saturday 10am – 6pm

4-11 Galen Place,

Pied Bull Court

London WC1A 2JR

Donya Coward, magpie

Donya Coward: textile taxidermy

01 October 2011

Texprint alumna Donya Coward exhibited at the recent Tent, London; part of the London Design Festival. Donya has a truly individual and imaginative approach to textiles.

Donya Coward at Tent, London

She set up her business, Textile Taxidermy, in Nottingham in 2007, making one-off textile sculptures and banners; re-using salvaged beadwork, embroidery and lace from damaged vintage clothing and textiles. Donya explains: “Textile Taxidermy is as much about preserving textiles as it is about the animal forms that are being imitated.”

French Bulldog by Donya Coward

Dog images form a large section of her current work; Donya is interested in the folklore surrounding dogs and notes that statues of them often represent qualities of loyalty and fidelity. She has created complete 3D forms of dogs, mounted heads, and most recently, textile banners featuring different breeds. She also depicts other animals, including zebras and birds such as magpies. All of the pieces are lovingly hand-crafted by the artist and each one is unique.

Greyhound by Donya Coward

Donya relishes re-generating damaged or discoloured textile pieces, fashioning them into new, original, decorative art pieces - where their beauty can be appreciated again in a new guise. Referencing taxidermy and the old traditions of hunting trophies, her work is fresh, contemporary and fun, carving out a new niche for textile design.

Pictures, cards and paper products by Donya Coward

Donya trained initially as a knitwear designer, gaining a first class honours degree from Nottingham Trent University in 2004. In her final year, she began making beaded brooches as an independent project, and after exhibiting with Texprint, some of her brooches were snapped up by US design store Anthropologie. Through Texprint at Indigo, she gained two freelance jobs in France utilising her embroidery skills. Eventually, Donya created her first animal pieces, which have been enormously successful.  She has exhibited in galleries in Nottinghamshire, Winchester and Brighton - this summer, her exhibition there won the Visit Brighton People’s Choice Award. Her distinctive work has also sold through Paul Smith and Margo Selby’s London store.

http://www.donyacoward.co.uk/