BRINGING THE HANDMADE back into our fabrics and homes.
We sent textile designer and stylist Manisha Harkins to the Design Centre in London's Chelsea Harbour to hear a fascinating talk by Helen Cormack owner of Tissus d'Hélène. Helen, who started the company in 2006, has a passion for prints, most of which are hand-blocked or hand-screen printed.
Helen welcomed Carole Langton and Sophie Paget Steavenson of Langton Textiles, who offered an insight into Kalamkari Indian block printing and Juliet Cornell of Pukka Print who discussed her print journey from Hampshire to Mumbai and back.
Their first collaborative collections are hand printed on linen. Sophie Paget Steavenson, formerly based in Mumbai, with her own line of block-printed scarves, helped bring Carole Langton's prints to life. Back in the UK, Carole first drew Indian inspired motifs "before skilled craftsmen carved detailed wooden blocks. Colour-wise, Helen was instrumental," both explained.
Also in Mumbai until recently, Juliet Cornell realised her dreams through talented Indian designers and craftspeople using traditional wood and brass blocks. "That's something I'm really proud about: It's really the finest quality Rajasthani block printing -- plus the authenticity of Indian pattern with very English colours." Cormack, whose showroom is a natural home for these complementary collections, reflected, "It is vital that these crafts continue."
Find both Langton Textiles and Pukka Prints stocked at Tissus d'Hélène 421 Design Centre East, Chelsea Harbour, London SW10 0XF.
Love fabric? In the November issue of The Simple Things we have an extract from Cassandra Ellis' latest book, Cloth (Kyle Books £25), which explores the history and significance of natural fabrics and contains more than 30 beautiful projects for wool, linen cotton, silk and hide.