Thursday, December 5, 2013

SHILO ENGELBRECHT

 Shilo in the Melbourne store Ganim, photo by Sean Fennessy

 Image of one of Shilo's table clothes

Bedspread and pillows designed by Shilo's



I first came across Shilo when I saw The Design Files' write up on her. This is her first textile collection and I must admit I'm blown away!! Its so lovely to see the real possibilities that digital printing can create. Every brush stroke shows up on these textiles and that's something I love, not only can the artwork be on our walls but on our couch, beds and tables too. 

Born in Cape Town, Shilo Engelbrecht migrated with her family to Australia where she undertook a Fine Arts Degree in Fashion/Textiles. She was awarded the “Mercedes Benz Start Up” prize for her graduate collection and the “Emerging Designer of the Year” by the Design Institute of Australia. Shilo has shown her work at the Powerhouse Museum, G’Day L.A, Craft Victoria and held textile workshops for children’s festivals and The Cerebral Palsy League of Australia. Shilo lives with her Swedish partner in Cambridge where she has a studio.

"The paintings were an exercise in spontaneity and have an emphasis on brush strokes and colour. They tell a personal story about my journey in Europe over the last few years and document my natural surroundings." Shilo 





Tuesday, November 5, 2013

HOUSE & GARDEN STYLE AWARDS

Raoul floral from my Saint Germain collection 2013

House & Garden December issue 2013

I'm so honoured to have been picked for a finalist for the House & Garden 2013 Style awards!! I never dreamt that one of my designs would be picked so early on in my solo textile/wallpaper career.
Thank you Sparkk for asking me to design the Saint Germain collection, my career wouldn't have shot of so quickly without your collaboration!!! 



Wednesday, October 30, 2013

ARMSTRONG

Inspiration from  Novella wallpaper by Graham & Brown

 First initial sketches 

 Final Cad, all in repeat.

Photo shoot featuring Armstrong as the wallpaper



To me, the early twentieth century when it comes to art, literature and music is the most exciting time in history. It was when the most creative people of this era pushed the boundaries and rules beyond breaking point. For doing this, they were laughed at by critics who declared they drew or wrote like children. Little did the critics know, that these creative people were the founders of modernism.

Among these talented people in Paris was jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Armstrong played in the renowned Saint Germain jazz clubs. 
I wanted this design to capture the jazz age and to make it look as if it was music dancing up the wall.




Monday, October 28, 2013

JUNGLE SURFBOARD

Sibella Court's latest shot of our surfboard collaboration 



From right, Flamingo by the Society IncIndigo by Shibori, Jungle by me, Bethany Linz

I just had to share Sibella's latest photo shoot of her surfboard rage with McTavish, featuring the Jungle board with my The Great Shalimar Design embodied in it.

I can't wait to see what Six Hands and Bonnie & Neil come up with for theirs!!! 



Monday, October 14, 2013

TAMARA WATTS


 Tamara at work in her studio, photo by Brook Holm

 Tamara cutting up "The Great Shalimar", photo by Brook Holm

Tamara's lamps featuring Sparkk fabric including "The Great Shalimar", photo by Brook Holm

"Calcutta" featuring on Tamara's lovely lamps

Tamara Watts of Retro print revival creates unique, exclusive, one of a kind lamps and lampshades. 
Since Retro Print Revival was established in 2009, creator Tamara Watts has drawn inspiration from her appreciation of mid century and retro design. Tamara's love and longing for décor, furniture, fashion and music of this time prompted her desire to breathe new light into lighting design and create a timely product that reflected this era.

Luckily for me and Sparkk, Tamara has chosen lots of our designs to feature on her amazing lamps, I can't wait to get my hands on one!! 

COLLABORATION WITH SIBELLA COURT

Jungle Print surfboard (The Great Shalimar)


Finally I can reveal the exciting news about the collaboration with the very talented Sibella Court
The collaboration was on designing a surfboard range with McTavish, one of the worlds most renowned surfboard companies. 
As you can see she chose "The Great Shalimar" design from my "British India" collection which has been blown up to a large scale.

This is what Sibella had to say about the collection " long time love affair with Byron bay, mixed with the ultimate desire of surfing with ease & grace led me to Mctavish’s doorstep. I am definitely of the ‘all the gear, no idea’ ilk so promptly got excited about designing my very own custom board. The problem being choosing only one design, and from this, the Gypsy range was born. Offering patterns & colours based on my travels & my books, I worked with some young Australian dyers, designers & artists to create unique graphics that are different on every single board.
Designers include: Indigo – dyed by Shibori, Jungle – print by Bethany Linz, Flamingo – design by The Society inc., Giraffe – print by Bonnie & Neil (still to come), Suzani: design by The Society inc. (still to come)
Long boards are the coolest boards, & all levels of surfers can ride these with ease (yes even beginners can catch some waves with these), and it means the patterns get great coverage. I designed the pattern to sit on the back of the board, so if you indeed do not surf but need an uber cool piece of art in your home or bar or wherever you can put this straight on your wall. And if you do in fact surf, the sticky surf wax will not mess up the beautiful artwork! Win win!!!! Be the coolest person on the beach or just have the latest, greatest for your interior.
McTavish step deck longboards are made to order and are offered in 8’2”, 8’4” & 8’6” with an 8-week delivery time to your doorstep or beachfront.
For custom orders, wholesale & media enquiries, contact The Society Inc.!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

WALL ART


Wallpaper design by Ellie Cashman 

stanislava pinchuk aka miso street art, Melbourne 

Japanese Cherry Blossom wall mural, image from Pinterest 

Jenny Brandt Living room  

Olley Studio's 

How beautiful are these walls! I love the way designers are starting to be bold and use murals and wallpaper on such large scales to really make a feature out of a room. I'm starting to think big now for my next collection ;-)