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Amelia’s Magazine | Prints and Furnishings by Fanny Shorter: An interview with the talented Textile Designer

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Fanny Shorter Passion Pair Blue
I first discovered the beautiful designs of Fanny Shorter at Cockpit Arts in 2013 and have since met her at Home London (twice) and Tent London. Last year she was a deserving recipient of the COADG bursary. Fanny trained as an illustrator at Brighton University but has since turned her skills to the joy of textile design, building an immediately recognisable brand that features beautiful bold designs inspired by a childhood growing up in the beautiful City of Winchester and family trips to museums and National Trust properties.

Winchester Richard Shorter
Winchester school Richard Shorter
Winchester views by Richard Shorter.

Your upbringing in Winchester with teacher parents sounds idyllic, what are your fondest memories of childhood?
We were just very lucky. We were housed in the school grounds where my father taught in Winchester and it was just an absolutely beautiful environment in which to grow up. I appreciate it more now even more than I did then. We were just outside most of the time. My mother was quite traditional but very creative and we were always encouraged to draw, sew, make things and write (although I’ve probably let that slip somewhat).

Calathea_Cushion_Lrg_Clementine_Fanny_Shorter
Why did you decide to study illustration and how did you end up specialising in surface design? (where did you learn the practicalities of printing for instance?)
I originally wanted to study painting but got cold feet about the enormity of possibility within fine art. I felt I needed some practical guidelines and illustration seemed the perfect compromise. My first surface design was in response to a brief at university and I just felt really comfortable designing with a very specific application in mind. Screen-printing followed quite naturally as a way of applying pattern to a material. I had an induction in screen-printing at Brighton but got really into it after I left and still love it as a way of working. It’s really physical and very satisfying.

Quince_Cushion_Small_Buttercup_Front_Fanny_Shorter copy
What was the most useful thing you took from your illustration degree in Brighton?
Having the freedom to explore different mediums and finding the confidence to develop your own style. I’m not sure I have it quite yet but I know now when I’ve done something I’m pleased with and when something is truly awful.

Fanny Shorter at work
How did you get involved with the COADG bursary and what has been the best outcome from winning the prize last year?
I was familiar with the Confessions of a Design Geek blog and read about the bursary winner, Jessica Hogarth the year before. It seemed like a great opportunity and I decided to apply the following year. The mentors and sponsors I met through the bursary have been so supportive. It’s a very daunting experience, setting up your own business, and they were very free and friendly with advice and time.

Small_Calathea_Cushion_Neon_Fanny_Shorter
Why did you take a studio in Cockpit Arts and why would you recommend it to fellow creatives?
Cockpit provides seminars and one to one business advice as part of your rent. I felt if my business was going to get off the ground I needed all the help I could get. Being at Cockpit Arts has been invaluable. It’s great to tap into the professional support available but also to be part of a community where there’s always someone just ahead of you in business whose brains you can pick. We have an open studios event twice a year and it’s a brilliant way to get comfortable with talking about your work and meeting your customers – something I was nigh on allergic to beforehand.

Calathea_Blood_Orange_Make_Up_Bag_Side_Fanny_Shorter
Calathea_Cushion_Magenta_Small_Fanny_Shorter_Press
Where do you look for inspiration when you start designing a new range of patterns?
Dorling Kindersley has always been an easy go to. Much of my work is inspired by natural science and it’s a quick, very visual source. I regularly visit National Trust properties, the V&A, Natural History Museum and Kew Gardens, Hampshire and Wiltshire all of which formed a major part of my childhood. Google is there too in times of crisis although daunting if you’re unsure where you’re even going to start. I’ll always use it to find facts and figures about the plants and birds I plan to use in a design.


Your brand is continually developing and you are about to add hand printed furnishing fabric by the metric. What do you hope for in the future?
If time I would like a range of furnishing fabrics, prints and wallpapers. I would ultimately love to bring screen-printing fabric by the metre back in house but I’d need a very long studio for that and in London it simply isn’t feasible at the moment. There’s the dream I suppose – having a workshop somewhere in the countryside with a printing dream team and a studio dog.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Thursday February 19th, 2015 4:31 pm

Categories ,Brighton University, ,COADG Bursary, ,Cockpit Arts, ,Confessions of a Design Geek, ,Dorling Kindersley, ,Fanny Shorter, ,Home London, ,Jessica Hogarth, ,National Trust, ,screenprinting, ,Tent London, ,Textile Design, ,Winchester

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Amelia’s Magazine | Introducing Fiera, a new Design Magazine: Interview with founder Katie Treggiden

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Fiera_magazine_issue1_cover
I was super stoked to pick up a copy of Fiera on my recent visit to Home London: this new magazine is the brainchild of prolific design writer Katie Treggiden – the author of Confessions of a Design Geek – and aims to shed an analytical light on the many design fairs that she visits across the world. It’s a super ambitious project that was funded through a very successful Kickstarter campaign which raised over £16,000, and the final publication is a beautiful book, designed by the ace Jeremy Leslie of Magculture. Having recently run my own Kickstarter campaign to produce a book I was very keen to catch up with Katie to find out how it all came about.

Katie Treggiden-Fiera
Why did you decide to launch Fiera and what does the title mean?
The coverage of design festivals is exciting, dynamic and immediate, but almost as ephemeral at the shows themselves. Print coverage tends to be press release driven and therefore often misses young designers without PR support. After the shows, we all sort of go back to life as normal as if nothing had happened. I felt there was a space for a print magazine that captures the excitement of the fair whilst offering some insight and analysis to make sense of it all – and provides a platform for new designers. Fiera is Italian for fair.

Fiera_magazine_02
How did you first meet and decide to work with Jeremy Leslie?
I met Jeremy on a Guardian Masterclass on independent publishing that he was a speaker on. He contacted me afterwards and suggested we met for a coffee to discuss my project. As you know, he is something of a Godfather in the world of independent design, so I was blown away. It’s a real honour to work with him – he’s an incredibly talented and experienced designer, and he’s really made the magazine what it is.

Fiera_magazine_04
You must see so much design, how do you filter out the things that you love and do you ever suffer from ‘blindness’? (and if so do you have any strategies for getting around it?)
I work very much on gut instinct. I’m looking for fresh young designers with ideas that make the world a better place in some way – large or small. I can’t always articulate it straight away, but I know it when I see it. Trade shows can be exhausting so it’s important to look after yourself – flat shoes, plenty of water, a secret stash of chocolate – and to remember to enjoy it. I have the best job in the world – it would be a shame to be too tired to appreciate that!

Fiera_magazine_08
Which is your favourite design festival and why?
I’m going to have to be loyal and say the London Design Festival – I can still remember visiting for the first time. It was like the door into another world had been opened to me. There are over 300 events on the first day alone – anyone who says they can’t find anything to interest or inspire them isn’t looking hard enough!

Fiera_magazine_12
How did you get the various contributors involved?
For the first issue, I contacted people I respected who I thought might have something interesting to say, and asked them if they’d be interested in taking part. I was very lucky that despite not having a physical magazine to show them, most people said yes straight away. For Issue 2, people are starting to come to me with ideas, which is really nice.

Fiera_magazine_17
What were the best and the hardest things about running a Kickstarter campaign, and do you have any tips for others who might want to run a similar crowdfunding campaign?
Running a Kickstarter campaign is honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever done professionally. You put yourself out there for very public success or failure. It’s so rewarding when people back your idea and show their support, but I didn’t believe we were going to hit the target until the moment we did, so I felt sick for a month! The best thing is being able to launch a product with 300 pre-orders. You’ve already proved the market and connected with your readers before the product even exists. That’s a very privileged position to be in.

Fiera_magazine_19
What is your favourite bit in this current issue of Fiera and why?
Oh, that’s a tough question! This doesn’t quite answer it, but I think my favourite part is the sheer physicality of it. I’ve been writing a design blog for almost five years, and write for a lot of online publications. There is something utterly magical about holding a magazine in your hands that’s been over a year in the making. I have to thank Jese and Jeremy at magCulture studio for that – it’s a truly beautiful object.

Fiera_magazine_23
What next for the Fiera brand?
Issue 2! We’re already hard at work on the next issue. I’ve just come back from Northmodern in Copenhagen and I’m off to the Stockholm Furniture Fair on Monday. I can’t wait to do it all again!

You can buy Issue 1 of Fiera at Magculture here. I highly recommend you pick up a copy if you have an interest in contemporary design culture. Next up I will be interviewing Jeremy Leslie about his role in the publication.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Friday January 30th, 2015 12:55 pm

Categories ,Confessions of a Design Geek, ,Fiera, ,Guardian Masterclass, ,Home London, ,Jeremy Leslie, ,Katie Treggiden, ,Kickstarter, ,London Design Festival, ,magCulture, ,Stockholm Furniture Fair

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Amelia’s Magazine | Fine Craft Textiles with Japanese Flair: An interview with designer Nazanin Kamali

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Cushion Collection, Nazanin Kamali
Furniture and Interiors designer Nazanin Kamali introduced her debut textiles collection at the Home London show in January – here she explains the reasons why she has turned to fine craft and what inspired the designs of her new range of cushions, embroideries and wallhangings.

Nazanin Kamali 2010
Chrysanthemum 2 (Styled), Nazanin Kamali
I recently discovered your debut textiles collection at Home London earlier this year – what was the reception like at this show?
It was the first time I had shown my textile designs so it was great to receive feedback on the range, particularly from bloggers and stylists who were very complimentary.

Hexagon Cushion (styled), Nazanin Kamali
You originally trained as a furniture designer, receiving an MA from the RCA, what prompted the move into textile design in more recent years?
I’ve always been more interested in craft than commercial design, even though my career path initially led me down that route. I’m drawn to the storytelling aspect of crafting and when my mother passed away in 2006 shortly before I fell pregnant, I found myself turning to the therapeutic craft processes of embroidery to help me work things through. I was inspired by Isabel Allende’s familial novel The House of the Spirits, which I first read as a teenager, and began to create a vast patchwork blanket constructed from seventy-seven hand-sewn squares, each one reflective of a different aspect of my life. The blanket took two and a half years to complete but the process helped to focus and heal my mind, and led me down the path I’m on today.

Crane Cushion (styled), Nazanin Kamali
Chrysanthemum 1 (Styled), Nazanin Kamali
How does this textile interiors brand sit alongside your other design work?
As a founding designer for Case Furniture my furniture designs reflected the attention to precision detail and intricate repetitive forms found in Japanese arts, which have long fascinated me. But whereas my previous furniture designs have always fit within specific design parameters, my textile collections are deeply rooted in my own personal fascination with cultural mythology, with an underlying melancholia and hint of the macabre.

Shrimps Cushion (styled), Nazanin Kamali
The cushion designs which form the backbone of the brand feature embroidered designs inspired by Japanese heraldic symbols: how did you choose the designs and what do they mean?
My interest in Japanese Kamons stems from work I did on the interior of Brighton-based restaurant Oki-Nami back in 1994. The six Mon designs – Chicken, Crane, Shrimp, Hexagon and Chrysanthemum (1 & 2) – were mostly chosen for their beauty, but a unifying mythological undercurrent runs through all the designs. The Crane symbolises 1,000 years while the Shrimp, with its resemblance to an old man hunched over with a beard, represents longevity. The Hexagon, resembling the shell of a wise tortoise, represents good luck.

Wedding Vows Runner (styled), Nazanin Kamali
Suicide Suitcase, Bespoke Commission by Nazanin Kamali
Why did you decide to concentrate on embroidery techniques and where do you get your products made?
My mother was a dressmaker and had taught me when I was younger, so I returned back to the craft after she passed away as a way of feeling closer to her. All my original prototypes and bespoke pieces I make by hand myself, while my collection pieces are produced in India. It was very important to me to find a manufacturer that offered a high quality of material and the production methods they use have allowed me to offer much more intricate embroidery details than I could ever have produced by hand.

Patchwork Tapestry, Bespoke Commission, Nazanin Kamali
Your height chart and advent calendar are based on original designs made for your son: how do you scale these into mass production?
I work very closely with my manufacturers to ensure their capabilities in turning my prototypes into high quality production pieces and consulted on all steps of the process. It was really fascinating to see the evolution of the project through, and I am delighted with the final results.

Chicken Cushion (styled), Nazanin Kamali
Do you have any other exciting projects in the pipeline that you can share with us?
I have a number of exciting things in the pipeline and, amongst others, am beginning work on a project involving giant embroidered buttons for an upholstered headboard, as well as designs for felt doll chess pieces.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Thursday March 26th, 2015 12:22 pm

Categories ,Case Furniture, ,Chicken, ,Chrysanthemum, ,craft, ,Crane, ,embroidery, ,Furniture, ,Hexagon, ,Home London, ,India, ,Interior Design, ,Interiors, ,interview, ,Isabel Allende, ,Japanese Kamons, ,Mon, ,Nazanin Kamali, ,Oki-Nami, ,rca, ,Shrimp, ,textiles, ,The House of the Spirits

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Amelia’s Magazine | Home London at Olympia, January 2015: Review

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WOW_Home_london
WOW lighting from Pad Home.

This year I attended the January Home London show with toddler in tow, since needs must. He was very, erm, helpful, on the first leg… then promptly fell asleep in his buggy after lunch (something he never ever does) – giving me a good few hours to see more of the show and actually chat with the designers.

Ella_Doran_vintage_toy_car_wallpaper
First stop, vintage toy car wallpaper by Ella Doran went down especially well with Snarf.

Michael_Angove_Ary_Trays
Åry Trays is a Scandinavian manufacturer of birchwood trays who work with a host of designers including many UK based ones. I particularly liked quirky designs by RCA alumni Michael Angove.

Nazanin_Kamali_Minecraft_cushion
Shrimp_cushion_Nazanin_Kamali
Snarfle made a beeline for this Minecraft inspired beanbag by furniture designer turned artisanal textiles designer Nazanin Kamali. She had made it for her own son and was very tolerant of his desire to kick his shoes off and pretend sleep, and even helped bribe his removal with a handy chocolate coin. Her unusual embroidered shrimp cushion got a huge amount of love when I posted it on instagram – a sign, perhaps, that people are growing weary of the ubiquitous owls and foxes that still dominate current decorative designs. Find her cushions stocked in SCP.

Otago_design_beaded_pots
I discovered Otago Design at last year’s Tent London (about which I still planning some kind of review… unfortunately my Kickstarter campaign to produce a book got in the way of an earlier blog). I really love the way they marry African design sensibilities with contemporary design.

Toby_House_iridescent_lighting
One of my absolute favourite finds was this amazing iridescent flat pack lighting by the relatively new TOBYhouse from London based designer Toby Sanders. Having already wowed the world with super fun Beach Ball lights, this is his latest innovation.

Moomin_tile_arabia
Arabia make a whole host of Moomin ceramics that are just so darn cute… can’t wait for Snarf to get better with china!

Klaus_Haapaniemi_iitala_dancing_foxes
Klaus Haapaniemi does it again for Iitala with these gorgeous dancing foxes. His designs are out of this world, if only I could afford to own some.

Lush Designs_Beekeeper_Snarfle
Lush_Designs_unicorn_plate
Lush_designs_ceramic_kitty
Snarfle gave the thumbs up to the new Bee Garden fabric design by Lush Designs, and we were both enamoured with their lovely new range of melamine tableware for little ones, inspired by requests from customers with kids who frequent their East Dulwich shop. The unisex designs feature a unicorn and a lion, and Snarf promptly set up a play kitchen to make us cups of tea with the beakers. Also new to the range: these ceramic kitty money boxes.

Fanny_Shorter
This year the COADG curated area had grown, with some old names joined by new finds. Fanny Shorter textiles are always a winner, and I’m looking forward to her new collection, due for release later this year.

Laura_Slater_cushions
I am in no way surprised that designer Laura Slater has created a bespoke collection for Heals. Love these painterly designs!

Anna_Jacobs_lamps
These awesome hot pink flamingo lampshades are by Anna Jacobs.

Thorody
Thorody is the brain child of fine artists Vicky Putler and Theo Sykes, who are inspired by a combination of Modernism and South East London life. The resulting graphic designs are super slick and wearable for the home.

My Top Drawer review is coming up next!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Sunday January 18th, 2015 2:43 pm

Categories ,2015, ,Anna Jacobs, ,Arabia, ,Åry Trays, ,Beach Ball lights, ,Bee Garden, ,COADG, ,Ella Doran, ,Fanny Shorter, ,flamingo, ,Heals, ,Home London, ,Iitala, ,instagram, ,Kickstarter, ,kitty money boxes, ,Klaus Haapaniemi, ,Laura Slater, ,Lush Designs, ,Michael Angove, ,Minecraft, ,Moomin, ,Nazanin Kamali, ,Olympia, ,Otago Design, ,Pad Home, ,review, ,SCP, ,Snarfle, ,Tent London, ,Theo Sykes, ,Thorody, ,Toby Sanders, ,TOBYhouse, ,Top Drawer, ,Vicky Putler

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Amelia’s Magazine | Best New Designs: Top Drawer and Craft London January 2014 Review

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Wrap magazine trees and tools wrapping paper

It has been many years since I last attended the Top Drawer gift trade show at Earls Court, and the scope of what is now on offer is daunting to say the least: it’s no wonder it has recently split off into the separate Home London event and now Craft London. Having already visited those two I only made it around half of Top Drawer, missing out on much I’m sure. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Wrap Magazine paper with leaves and pot plants

Over in the greeting cards section it was great to meet the talented Polly and Chris from Wrap Magazine, who have produced a wonderful stand alone wrapping paper range to compliment their beautiful publication – it’s a natural move for this twosome, who have done a remarkable job of creating both a magazine and a product by harnessing the talents of the illustrators that they feature. They have a great aesthetic that is similar to my own and their unique commissioned designs stood out a mile at Top Drawer. You can read our recent interview here.

Eley Kishimoto wrapping paper for 1973 designs

Over at the 1973 stand a collaboration with cult fashion designers Eley Kishimoto caught my eye. Graphic patterns with names like Waltzing Vases and Naked Herrings feature signature colour ways that are unlike any other. Just fabulous.

Snowflakes socks for kids

I love brightly coloured and patterned socks. Snowflakes and Sunflowers specialise in ace affordable designs for kids, available in a boutique near you.

Jennie Maizels A-Z iron on patches

It was very exciting to finally meet illustrator and entrepreneur extraordinaire Jennie Maizels, whose expanding line of iron on patches now includes these brilliant letters, which can be bought separately to construct the words of your choice.

Elks and Angels sheepskin bear

Looking for an unusual and charming newborn gift? How about this adorable sheepskin soft Cuddle Bear for kids by Australian company Elks and Angels, distributed by Diddywear in the UK.

Plan toys cog puzzle

This is so cool: a gear puzzle from Plan Toys, a Thai company which specialises in ‘sustainable play’ and great design.

Colourful Dove bone china for kids

This fun bone china tableware range for kids is by Colourful Dove.

Sew Heart Felt seal slippers

Seal felt slippers designed in the UK and handmade in Nepal by Sew Heart Felt are extremely cute, dontcha think?!

Nkuku paper lanterns

Beautiful unusual shaped paper lanterns by Nkuku would look wonderful hung from the ceiling at any time of year. This company specialises in ecodesign and fair-trade gifts.

Susi Hines rotating gold rings

Over in the new Craft London section I loved these handmade oxidised gold and natural diamond rotating rings by jeweller Susi Hines.

Sarah Straussberg necklace

Finally, Sarah Straussberg is a young designer who recently graduated from Brighton University. Her really clever range of jewellery is all based on a very simple seed pod form. Loved it a lot.

You can read my report from the January 2014 Home London trade show here.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Tuesday January 21st, 2014 6:31 pm

Categories ,1973, ,Brighton University, ,Colourful Dove, ,craft, ,Craft London, ,Cuddle Bear, ,Diddywear, ,Earls Court, ,Eco-Design, ,Eley Kishimoto, ,Elks and Angels, ,fairtrade, ,gifts, ,Home London, ,Jennie Maizels, ,jewellery, ,Naked Herrings, ,Nepal, ,Nkuku, ,Plan Toys, ,Report, ,review, ,Sarah Straussberg, ,Sew Heart Felt, ,Snowflakes and Sunflowers, ,Susi Hines, ,Top Drawer, ,Trade Show, ,Waltzing Vases, ,Wrap Magazine

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