Texprint prizewinners take part in ComOn, Italy

08 November 2011 by Joyce Thornton

Four Texprint prize winners participated in the ComOn initiative, held in Como, Italy from October 17 to 22, 2011. Set up to celebrate and support emerging European talent in textiles, fashion, design and art, and as an introduction to the strengths of the Como textile industry, this great event is now in its fourth year. Prize winners David Bradley, Harriet Toogood, Chloe Hamblin and Emma Shipley travelled to Como for the week’s series of presentations, workshops and visits to some of Italy’s most prestigious mills.

Texprint designers visit the Como Silk Museum

Joining them in this wonderful experience were two other designers from Texprint 2011; Lok Ting Carol Pau who won an internship with Clerici Tessuto and Amy Jo Lewis who will intern at the Taiana company.

Chiara Francina, Curator at Fondazione Antoni Ratti, Museo del Tessuto, reveals samples from their archive

Highlights of ComOn this year included high profile visits to the Como Silk Museum and the Antonio Ratti Foundation where the young designers had the opportunity to see some of the foundation’s tremendous archive which dates back to the 15^th Century. Curator Chiara Francina presented some of the textile treasures to the designers. They also visited the Ratti Group’s design studio to see some design work destined for top-flight Italian designers and their state-of-the-art print production processes. Texprint alumnus Andrew Boyd, winner of Texprint’s 2010 Colour prize, is happily employed by the group following his success last year.   

Chloe Hamblin, Harriet Toogood and David Bradley visit a Ratti print production unit. 

Inspiring presentations during the week included a dynamic and somewhat provocative talk given by David Shah, the respected owner and publisher of Textile View, and a thought-provoking presentation from Li Edelkoort, the renowned trend forecaster, on future trends for spring 2013. Texprint’s Peter Ring-Lefevre also spoke at the opening event.

Lok Ting Carol Pau creating beachwear designs for Parah during ComOn 

During the week, Texprint’s Lok Ting Carol Pau won a competition to create beachwear designs organised by the Como-based brand Parah. Alongside the event, Francesca Colussi, another designer highlighted at this year’s Texprint showcase, had the opportunity to participate in an intense three-week textile course organised by the Antonio Ratti Foundation. This course is led by Tal Lancman, one of the founders of the Interweave studio in Paris, and a former creative editor of Textile View.

The Italian trade organisation Confindustria Como organises ComOn, and it represents the core 300 Como-based textile companies. Its generous support and connection with Texprint has provided an invaluable and unforgettable experience for some of our talented designers this year. ComOn’s mission to be a hub of creativity in Europe fits with Texprint’s own ethos to support and highlight some of the best emerging UK textile designers.   

http://comon-co.it/   

Article tags: print (24), texprint 2011 (30)

Interweave: exploring society through technology, tools and textiles

01 November 2011 by Joyce Thornton

Interweave, a free one day event exploring society through technology, tools and textiles will be held at the Sackler Centre, Victoria and Albert Museum, London on Thursday 3 November 2011 from 10:30am to 5pm.

The event is organised by Jo Morrison, Digital Projects Director at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and co-director, Leanne Manfredi from the V&A’s Sackler Centre. The day’s programme offers presentations, hands-on making sessions with artists and engineers as well as an engaging bespoke ‘walkshop’ through the museum’s collection.  Jo Morrison says, “I hope the day will be an insightful, dynamic and convivial adventure – so, all curious people are welcome!”

Interweave will offer an opportunity to look at the ways in which the use of materials, such as jute, nylon, cement and iron, as well as new tools and technologies have re-shaped communities radically. It will also look at what the future challenges are for UK society. Jo explains, “Today’s nanotechnologies, energy harvesting materials and digital communications networks will transform everyday experiences in the 21st century.”

A group of leading designers, social scientists, engineers, and curators are participating in the event and will share some insights from their individual research areas. The programme offers an opportunity to learn how social science research methods are used directly in the design of materials and products. Jo explains, “While these themes may appear extremely specialised, my hope is that by presenting them in an informal and friendly way, people will be equally fascinated and challenged by the work. The day is aimed at all interested people, and I see the ideas and energy of the Interweave audience as being key to the success of the event - whether they wish to actively participate or have a more contemplative experience.”

Talks scheduled for the event include: How Living Technology Will Radically Change the Way We Design Our Everyday, The V&A’s Collection through Technological Change and, Convergence of the Real and Virtual in the City.

All events are free but booking is required. Visit the V&A bookings and information service or call 020 7942 2211.

Venue: Sackler Centre, Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL 
Date: Thursday 3 November 2011 
Time: From 10:30am to 5pm 

Article tags: exhibition (23)

Wearable Art event at Margo Selby

28 October 2011 by Editor

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

Article tags: weave (19), home & interiors (24), exhibition (23), alumni (36)

Texprint at Interstoff Asia Essential, Hong Kong

20 October 2011 by Editor

Texprint completed its 2011 exhibition programme with a showcase stand at Hong Kong’s prestigious textile show Interstoff Asia Essential, October 6-8, 2011.

Displaying the work of David Bradley (Body Award), Chloe Hamblin (Colour Award), Emma Shipley (Pattern Award), and Harriet Toogood (Space Award and Woolmark Texprint Award in support of Campaign for Wool), it proved a key draw for buyers and designers from China and HK-based manufacturers and brands.

John Woodruffe, Deputy Trade Commissioner of UK Trade & Investment in Hong Kong, also visited the exhibition.

Texprint has enjoyed a long connection with Messe Frankfurt, having first showed internationally at Interstoff in Frankfurt in 1990. Hong Kong based Wendy Wen, the Director who oversees all Messe Frankfurt's Textile Fairs in Greater China, has for some years been instrumental in bringing Texprint to Interstoff Asia Essential.

To compliment this presentation of design excellence, Texprint’s chairman Barbara Kennington – an internationally-renowned design expert and founding creative director of forecasting site WGSN - presented a seminar during the exhibition on Inspirational Trends in Textiles. Using inspirational images of the innovative design work created by Texprint stars of 2011, she highlighted the key trends emerging in terms of end use, colour and pattern across all disciplines.

“The Hong Kong and China markets are increasingly looking to British textile talent and Interstoff Asia’s invaluable sponsorship means that Texprint designers are able to connect with these exciting markets in a highly credible way” says Kennington.

Article tags: texprint 2011 (30), interstoff asia (3)