Textile Design
Textile design has always been a part of my life. At the age of twelve I loved exploring the bead stores and haberdasheries on days out to London, returning home to create elaborate sequined and hand sewn art with my finds. This passion inspired me to study for a degree in printed textile design at the prestigious Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. Following my studies, I embarked on an adenture to New York City in my twenties, and became a Designer for DKNY Home, and then on to be the Senior Embellishment Designer at Ann Taylor. It was here that I was in my element searching out beads again, but this time in the suppliers stores in Manhattan and the bead district in Hong Kong.
Louis Vuitton Freelance project Spring/Summer 2002
This was an incredible project following my studies for a Master of Arts degree at the Royal College of Art, and was an outcome of LV seeing my Final Show in London. I worked in Paris with Marc Jacobs and Peter Copping to bring to life their vision of an English countryside sweeping down a Parisian catwalk. I researched many of the flowers from the beautiful garden in Wadhurst, East Sussex belonging to my inspirational tutor and distinguished natural history illustrator, the late John Norris Wood. My painted designs adorned a floor-sweeping empire lined dress with coordinating floral embroideries, embellished white kid leather jacket, waistcoat, and knee-length boots. My special touch within the design was to add the Fritillaria flower displaying the checkered pattern which also resembles Louis Vuittons iconic checkered design that adorns their luggage range.
Original artwork used to create the pattern repeat for the flowing dress seen here at the LV catwalk show, Paris.
Media
Harpers Bazaare, USA, February 2002
Allure Magazine, January 2002
Harpers Bazaare, Feb 2022 'Artistic Licence'
Elle, USA edition, February 2002
Vogue, UK, June 2002
Vogue, USA, January 2002 'The Body'
Catwalk show press photograph, used online and in numerous magazines/newspaper articles.
Elle Magazine, UK, January 2002
Vogue, USA, June 2002
Part of the Louis Vuitton, Ready-to-wear 2002 advertising campaign for all magazines, bill boards and store fronts. Advertising knee length boots and luggage.
Part of the Louis Vuitton, Ready-to-wear, 2002 advertising campaign for all magazines, bill boards and store fronts. Advertising dress and luggage.
Article from ‘The Fashion’ magazine, UK. Spring/Summer 2002. Amanda Kirk, née Griffiths.
Textile Design Swatches
Designs created for a range of high street and couture fashion and interior companies. I sketch out all of my designs and hand embroideries specifying embroidery techniques, colourways, beads and repeats.
