make it digital textiles

Ready to Share - Ready to Print - Ready to Wear

2012-02-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

The first ever co-designed Swatch book initiated by The People's Print who have developed a unique system and toolbox for a group of people to create a shared swatch book. Through a democratic voting system the group 'Born to be Wild' have produced a collection of digitally printed designs to which they have group ownership of and exclusive rights to use at any time. The swatch book pioneers a new methodology for digital textile print identity development, community generation, cultural and social identity and entrepreneurship.

For more information on The People's Print future's vision click here.

Spoonflower.com

2012-01-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

I have recently been working on a commission with a large fashion brand and exploring methods of DIY digital textile design and print on demand. To print our fabric we choose Spoonflower in the US a thriving and pioneering digital print bureau aimed towards the individual who want to enjoy designing and printing small quantities of fabric at a very reasonable price with no minimum order. Spoonflower has developed an easy online system to upload your designs and create your own personal library to refer to. Using a limited range of fabrics with the focus on cottons they manage to keep the cost down to make it an affordable option. As well as providing its customers with a lively creative online community, weekly competitions and a democratic voting system. My twelve designs were turned around and back to me within 10 days making it all the more exciting.
Spoonflower is a key contributer to the new wave in digital textile crafting, power to the people!
Spoonflower

Fabric Project

2012-01-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Fabric Project from Hochparterre on Vimeo.

by Stephanie Baechler

and a happy new year!

2012-01-01T03:28:00.000-08:00

I feel very fortunate to be working in the field of Digital Textile Design with so much exciting work happening, it's a positive area in difficult economic times. Digital textile design is enabling creativity and new concepts for design to florish. My particular interest lies in people designing and making their own textiles which digital textiles is allowing. Small print runs are possible, the combination on low and high tech processes are being explored, social textile communities are thriving. Digital Print bureau's becoming the new localised industries. It's not only the catwalk designer utilising and having field day with digital printing but the small maker is feeling empowered and having so much fun.
DIY digital design is the future!

During 2011 I was lucky to work on a range of projects, a collaboration with Dr Emma Neuberg and the V&A developing a pioneering workshop using methods of co-design with formation of The People's Print and a FaceBook page. The success of this continues in the new year with a new workshop in the Spring 'The Great British Floral'.
An exchange in Finland with Hamk University allowed me to explore the concept of print identity. The invitation to exhibit at Handmade, FutureEverything last June confirmed the growing movement in DIY digital design. The touring exhibition Labcraft 'Digital adventures in contemporary craft' by the Craft Council continues to show across the UK.
And finally the completion of the second edition Digital Textile Design proved the interest in Digital textile design and the desire for knowledge in this area is growing.
This year I embark on a new book, with the focus on the wearer being at the center of the design process through a series of step by step tutorials, once again to empower everyone to make and create their own textiles. The future looks bright for digital textile design.
I thank you all for your support and wish you a very happy and productive new year!
Melanie x

The Future looks bright!

2011-12-23T02:03:00.000-08:00

This Postmodernism at the V&A print are especially co-designed by Alice Joubert, Melanie Bowles, Maria Genco and Emma Neuberg, members of The People's Print first co-design social textiles group, the Born To Be Wild Group (affiliated with the V&A) and experimenters in the future meaning, role and cultural identity of textile design and print!
The future looks bright for digital print and social textiles!
I look forward to sharing projects, works and knowledge with you all in 2012.
Happy Christmas and prosperous and creative New Year from The Peoples Print!

The People's Print first co-design project!

2011-12-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

The first incarnation of the Born To Be Wild/V&A Fashion Textiles Collection 2011!
The People's Print

Homage to Memphis

2011-12-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

Homage to Memphis

Visualisation

2011-12-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Visualisations for the Born to be Wild with The People's Print

Swatch Book goes to print!

2011-11-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

The first People's Print swatch book is now underway, a collaborative swatch book created by the first People's Print group 'Born to be Wild' 2011, inspired by the Postmodernism exhibition at the V&A. A book of digital textile prints ready for future applications. Watch this space!
The People's Print Project

Post Mod Tone

2011-11-18T02:02:00.000-08:00

I have been enjoying recreating 'old school' printing effects inspired by Post Modernism, Half tone, photocopy and overlays techniques to create a hand screen printed look. The middle design I used minimal colour to be economical with ink coverage which was an aspect for many designers in the 80's when putting work into production but not an issue now as we take for granted the use of limitless colour with digital printing. But I am enjoying the constraints of creating designs using minimal ink/colour, maybe more environmental too.
Today with the V&A 'Born to be Wild' textile group, we show are designs and vote which one are to go into the collaborative Swatch book, for everyone to Share - Print - Wear. Its going to be an interesting day!
The Peoples Print

Digital Freehand!

2011-11-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Digital freehand in the spirit of Post Modernism for The People's print workshop at the V&A

Jenni Rope

2011-10-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

I love the painter Jenni Rope's digital printed textile collection for Merimeko,
Interview with Jenni Rope

Swatch Patterns

2011-10-20T05:20:00.000-07:00

I have had these small artworks from Thomas Martin for a while now, they are 20 artworks screen printed in a match box and have been a constant inspiration for me over the last few weeks while I have been preparing the Swatch Book project for The People's Print at the V&A.
The simplicity of joyful mark and pattern making can build a library of pattern to play with.

We start our first swatch book with black and white marks ready to scan in and add colour

Started!

2011-10-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, we started our first People's Print Project at the V&A yesterday, nine enthusiastic participants all from interesting backgrounds sharing a love of pattern, history and social textiles. Emma set the scene with an inspiring presentation on the Post Modernism movement and its significance and I delivered a tool box on how to create a Post Modernist textile collection using hand and digital methods of design. Focusing on Memphis textile designer Nathalie Du Pasquier we looked at ways to generate high energetic graphic patterns beginning with simple collage and drawn techniques ready to scan in for week 2.

Holly Holmes

2011-10-08T05:29:00.000-07:00

Holly Holmes

Easy pattern Tape-Art

2011-10-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

With a bit of black tape in a 5cm square, you can build a complex pattern that looks like it took ages, easy peasy!

Prep

2011-09-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

I am having fun preparing for The People's Print 'Born to be Wild' workshop at the V&A based on the current Post Modernism exhibition. The workshop will study various Post Modernism design styles that will be re-created by handmade methods and manipulated digitally to create the first co-design swatch book shared by all the participants, ready to print, make and wear.
Being a design student in the 80's, I am in my element! re-connecting with design, art and music styles from 1970 -1970 that now have a significant place in history and that was a part of my design education.
With my main passion for pattern and textiles, I have been looking at French born Nathalie Du Pasquier, a founder member of the Memphis group until 1986 where she was the designer of fabrics, textiles, carpets, furniture and objects. After the Memphis group broke up in 1987 Nathalie carried on to become a successful painter. Her work still has a love of colour, compostion and everyday objects that surround her.
Nathalie Du Pasquier.
Follow The People's Print workshop here

The People's Print @ V&A

2011-09-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Emma Neuberg and I are running an exciting eight week workshop at The V&A museum alongside the Post Modernism exhibition. Titled 'Born to be Wild' by The People's Print, which offers a mix of hand and digital techniques in the spirit of post modernism,the participants will all be part of the first co-design swatch book ready for their own personal production using digital textile printing.
Be inspired by the Memphis design group and textile artist Nathalie De Pasquier, create your a co-design post modernist textile collection and collaborate to the People's swatch book, ready to share - ready to print - ready to wear
Born to be Wild - The People's Print at V&A
Post Modernism

Stone and Spear

2011-09-03T00:33:00.000-07:00

Recent graduate (Nottingham Trent University)and success Simon Cook from Stone and Spear has teamed up with Lucy jay to create a series of scarves with a mix of Kaleidoscopic, graphic textures and pattern and found photography, a sort of digital montage, nice!

Alpine Flowers

2011-08-26T14:35:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist sharing these images with you, last of the summer flowers.

H o l i d a y !

2011-08-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

Happy holidays! back 12th September

Second Edition: Digital Textile Design

2011-08-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

I have been busy working on the second edition of Digital Textile Design, updated tutorials, fresh images and new text. And with no students about, Maya, one of my twin daughters
(above) is proving to be a useful model too, for new Tutorial 21.
Digital Textile Design is selling well, meaning the interest in digital textile design continues to grow. My recent lecture at Winchester Fashion Week on Digital Textiles titled 'From Catwalk, to Craft to Consumer' certainly indicated a growing interest by textile enthusiasts wanting to create their own bespoke prints.
The second edition of Digital Textile Design is due to be in out Autumn '12.
I asked the publisher why it takes so long? the graphic design, the translation
( Spanish & German) and finally the printing was the answer.
A long process but a long life!

Hurray for Vicki!

2011-07-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

She did it! and 750 of us didn't but hey, Ex Chelsea grad Vicki Murdoch and her label Silken Favours got selected at Liberty Open call The Best of British, now on sale at Liberty's, go girl go!
SilkenFavours

Winchester Fashion Week

2011-07-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

Lots of exciting events happening next week at Winchester Fashion Week, I'll be giving a presentation 'Digital Textiles Now' on Friday 29th at the Discovery Center 4pm.
Winchester Fashion Week

Henry

2011-07-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

Fractured Lines
Henry Muller

Chelsea at Latitude '11

2011-07-11T12:41:00.001-07:00

Chelsea textiles takes part in the Waterfront fashion show this friday at the Latitude Festival
Chelsea at Latitude
Image above Georgia Xanthe Dorey

Class of 2011 Catherine's world

2011-07-04T23:08:00.001-07:00

Catherine's collection 'The old farm House' is based on her memories of the house where she spent her childhood. Passing down stories through illustrations, repeats with the style of Toile de Jouy and digitally printed onto fine linen's and cottons.
Catherine Frere-Smith

Emamoke & Vlisco @ V&A

2011-06-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

Last night I went down to the late night at the V&A 'Afropolitians' to catch ex Chelsea grad and textile designer Emamoke Ukeleghe run her workshop in the Sackler Center, silkscreening onto beautiful Vlisco Dutch wax fabrics, The event was a riot of colour and activity with queues waiting to create their own unique scarf, well done Ema!
For more images here.
Emamoke Ukeleghe

Class of 2011

2011-06-24T01:16:00.000-07:00

Another spectacular show from Chelsea Textiles, over the next few days I will post some highlights from class '11.
Here Jo artistically mixes hand and digitally together to create her collection 'Order & Disorder', an exploration of opposites.
Joanna Fowles
Jo's tumbler

Showtime!

2011-06-13T23:45:00.001-07:00

This years come around so quickly, with another great show!
Chelsea Summer Shows 2011: Undergraduate
Private View + VIP Breakfast*: Friday 17 June 2011 / 18.00 – 21.00 and 8.00 – 11.00
Open to public: Saturday 18 June – Saturday 25 June 2011
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 – 16.00 / Monday – Friday: 10.00 – 19.00

A very English Summer

2011-06-04T00:10:00.001-07:00

Stella McCartney S/S2011
Ron's garden 2011

Painted Gardens

2011-05-30T04:17:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year with summer in the air, a burst of early blooms, flower shows and open gardens I want to capture it all, so it's lovely to see such a glorious floral print on the catwalk by New Zealand designers Stolen Girlfriends Club who recently teamed up with painter Karl Maughan and featured his signature floral scenes on their garments. The full size digital prints prints leads you through a path of vibrate floral borders giving a sense of meandering through summer gardens, dreamy.

Book Expo USA

2011-05-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

Spot Digital Textile Design, I'm working on the second edition now!

Handmade at Victoria baths

2011-05-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was invited to show my work at the Handmade event at the FutureEverything Music and Arts Festival in Manchester. Handmade was a day of contemporary craft, DIY, Digital innovators and hackers. One of the first of its kind bringing together other artist who integrate digital and hands-on approaches. It was set in the most glorious surroundings of the recently renovated Victoria Baths, which I remember voting for as part of the BBC restoration series in 2003. As a passionate swimmer and artist I couldn't be in a more inspiring place, full of social and architectural history, memories and a new future which reflected its past by creating a new arts and social community . Victoria baths comprised of three swimming pools, male 1st class, male 2nd class and female, a turkish bath and washing house for laundry. Water hole to the legendary 1933 Channel swimmer Sunny Lowry who fought to save the pool in her later life. I was totally distracted throughout the day by the magnificent surroundings and inspiring artists around me. it really felt like I was on the cusp of something new and original .

It felt a special event, not only by its location but also by the other artist sharing their work and ideas, David Littler demonstrating his interactive Sampler CultureClash (left) and DIY Pacwomen workshop using open sourcing Auduino software.

Antony Hall showing his drawing machine Harmonograph reflected the playfulness and interactivity of the whole event, as well as the giant Etch-a-Sketch by HAC:Manchester. Along with my fellow Chelsea PHD student Jen Baille, showing TheSharedScarfProject, just to name a few.

I presented my own work The Peoples Print which involves the consumer being at the center of the design process through bespoke digital printing, it was good getting feedback and a positive reaction to my approach to design.

I was not only thrilled to be in such a special environment but also to be part of a new movement/community of craft, makers, digital innovators.

Handmade
The Crafts Council
BBC
Craft and the Digital World

FutureEverything

2011-05-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend I show The Peoples Print at the Handmade , DIY Digital craft fair, which is part of the FutureEverything Festival in Manchester alongside other digital crafters,makers and innovators.
‘The Peoples Print’ a series of projects that engages the consumer in the design process to create their own textiles through digital textile printing. The projects explores new concepts for textile design and develops system for emotional durable and sustainable design through bespoke digital printing
With the resurgence of DIY using digital software and the accessibility to digital print onto fabric using local print bureaus allows the consumer to design and produce their own fabric. ‘The People Print’ empowers the consumer to be at the center of the design process by using methods of co-design and participatory design that encourages ‘ownership’ of their final product.
It's going to be really interesting!

Future Everything

2011-05-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to have been selected to take part in the Handmade event at The Future Everything festival in Manchester, 11th -14th May. The Music, Art and Ideas annual event celebrates the best in contemporary art and discovers what’s coming next in creative new media. I show a series of projects titled The Peoples Print which explores how the consumer can have a central role in their product through digital print using co-design and emotional durable design methods. 'Handmade' is a day of contemporary craft, digital hacking, interactivities and DIY culture.
May 14th 10-4pm.
The Peoples Print projects include:
Kathy's Kaleidoscope scarf
The Wallpaper Dress
The Plaid shirt
The Market Skirt
Mary's Sweetpea shirt

April 29th

2011-04-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

April 29th 2011

Your Colour, Your Print

2011-04-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Last month I travelled to Hamk University, Finland, to run a three day workshop called 'Your Colour, Your Print' using digital design techniques. I asked the students to firstly anaylse and photograph their current and most favourite garments, document their colour palette as well as looking at S/S11 looks that they inspire them. Using their colour identity they create small collages which we then scanned in and using Photoshop created a series of pattern repeats which they finally mapped backed onto a photo of themselves. The project let the students develop a design system to create ones own print that fits in their current wardrobe and try it back on themselves. At the end of the project we made a group shared swatch book that included everyones designs. It was a fun week and I was also lucky to catch the wonderful Marimekko exhibition in Helsinki.
'I only want to bring people together so they can get to know each other and gain something from one another' Armi Ratia.

Prof Weston's Scarves just Rock!

2011-04-13T01:20:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched Britain's Next Best Thing on BBC 2, first in a series where top stores open their doors to the public to show off their ideas and products. Last nights program featured the Liberty 'Open Call Day'. Liberty's open their doors to the public to show their products to the top buyers in the hope of getting them in the world renowned store. I love the idea that Liberty makes it possible for the amateur, professional to recent graduate to have a chance of getting a viewing by the top buyers. I myself attended last years event only to be rejected! I realise now my product (digitally printed scarves) where not developed enough and still in the idea stage, with the price of digitally printing restricting my sampling process. This X factor process does make good TV and focuses on success but what about the hundreds of passionate designers that get rejected?

I was however delighted to watch Professor Richard Weston's scarves getting selected, with the program focusing on his delightful story of how his passion for nature has evolved throughout his work and now into textiles. Already having an established career in architecture and academia, Richard Weston love of nature ( he went grammar school in Leicester as David Attenborough) has extended through to fashion through purchasing a high quality scanner and scanning in his collection of precious minerals and rocks. As a result he has produced an amazing collection of digitally printed scarves now flying out the doors of Liberty's and sitting alongside the likes of Yves St Laurent, Missoni, Hermes, Stella McCartney. Keep watching the series to see Weston's production story unfold showing his scarves being digitally printed in Como.
Rock on Prof Weston !
Liberty
Earth
Richard Weston

Scarves Rock!

2011-04-13T00:52:00.000-07:00

I watched The Best of Britain last night about the Liberty open call event that invites the public to show the stores buyers their products with the hope the sell in the world renowned store. I love this idea that Liberty opens it doors to

The Cult of Beauty, The Aesthetic Movement

2011-04-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Emma Neuberg and I were lucky to visit the Liberty archive a few weeks ago in preparation for our Slow/Fast Print workshop at the V&A running in conjunction with The Cult of Beauty, The Aesthetic Movement during April, May and June. I was amazed to see the beautiful range of colours used in these early Liberty designs of the late 19th century and left a real impact on how inspirational Liberty fabrics must have been during this period. We begin our research into the Aesthetic Movement that will be the focus of our workshop from 'Hand to Digital' at the V&A starting April 26th, for more information,courses and events at the V&A.

Chelsea Textiles comes to Brixton Market.

2011-04-01T10:52:00.001-07:00

Chelsea Textiles Stg One came to The Brick Box at Brixton Village Market to hold their annual fashion event based on the theme 'Transition'. The theme reflected the vision of Transition Towns to encourage sustainable thinking and making through textiles. A creative mix of ideas, concepts and incredible techniques paraded the 5th Avenue, Brixton Village, de-construction, up-cycling, re-using,
multi-function, transformation, eco, co-design, skill-sharing, traditions, heritage, craft with fresh interpretations all echoed the ethos of Transition Town and brought the community together for an evening fun!
With thanks to The Brick Box, Circus, Claire Angel and all at Chelsea College of Art. For more images.

Transition Textiles

2011-03-30T00:02:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Finland

2011-03-27T11:11:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Finland xx

Print Identity 2.

2011-03-13T10:45:00.001-07:00

Continuing to analyse my wardrobe has been fun and a surprisingly cathartic experience. Reflecting on my favourite garments and documenting my own colour palette, as well as making me realise whats important when I look for a garment: function, durability, longevity, simplicity, colour, quality, craftsmanship. I don't tend to wear prints even though I love creating them and so my aim is to create my own bespoke digital print that fits in my wardrobe. Shopping for clothes is a chore but I love fashion, always evolving and never static, constantly inspired but wanting more control over my product so it's a valued piece in my wardrobe. My aim is to apply my skills to create my own print identity, with the idea that this could become a system of design of others.

Looking at the books that are surrounding me at the moment seem to be influencing my design work too, I was lucky to be given Louise Bourgeois The Fabrics Works and Bauhaus Women as Christmas presents. And currently reading Design Journeys by Kate Fletcher whose book explores the lifecycle sustainability impacts for fashion and textiles, practical alternatives, design concepts and social innovations.

My Print Identity aims to create a bespoke personal printing system putting the consumer at the center of the design and production process. Building up a colour palette from found and printed papers in preparation for collage designs Print Identity 3 and workshop in Haamelina, Finland.

Print identity 1.

2011-03-09T13:07:00.000-08:00

I am exploring the idea of creating a personal colour/print identity. By anaylising my wardrobe and favourite things around me I aim to create a personal colour palette and identity to create some new prints that will fit perfectly in my S/S wardrobe. Selecting personal items enables me to reflect on what I wear and what suits me. With the intention to apply this idea to future workshops that encourage the consumer to design and help create a personal print identity for possible bespoke digital printing, hopefully giving a stronger relationship with their garment and place within the wardrobe.
So I may as well start with myself!

Print Identity 3.

2011-03-06T00:08:00.000-08:00

Design Journeys Kate Fletcher

Aquastutum

2011-03-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

Aquastutum A/W 11
Rodchenko & Popova
Abstract, feminine, block tonal colour, shaded, loose, constructivism,

Emily at Jonathan Saunders

2011-02-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Saunders A/W11-12 collection delighted me as ex Chelsea textile grad Emily House is now head of print at JS studio, so its great to see how Emily's talent and confidence for print has come through in Jonathan Saunders latest Autumn/Winter collection. In a recent article in ID i-spy Emily talks about her transition from Chelsea into her career as a print designer at Jonathan Saunders. 'Chelsea helped me to see that it was possible to be very creative within the fashion industry and I came to realise that it was a fantastic art form and nothing to be daunted by'.

Jonathan's latest collection is inspired by Twentieth century American photographer/artist Paul Outerbridge (1896-1958) sets the atmosphere for the collection, Outerbridge, pioneer of colour photography, artist, commercial and fashion photographer and teacher. His early work reproduced in Vogue and Vanity Fair magazine and relationship later with surrealist artists Man Ray, Duchamp and Berenice Abbot. Outerbridge work seems to have had a strong relationship with fashion and the female figure. Jonathan Saunders cleverly captures the colour and atmosphere in his A/W collection, moody block colour, geometrics and beautiful elegant silhouttes steal the show at London Fashion week.

“Art is life seen through man’s inner craving for perfection and beauty–his escape from the sordid realities of life into a world of his imagining. Art accounts for at least a third of our civilization, and it is one of the artist’s principal duties to do more than merely record life or nature. To the artist is given the privilege of pointing the way and inspiring towards a better life.”
Quote: Paul Outerbridge

Jonathan Saunders A/W 11 images via Style.com
Paul Outerbridge Balboa Beach, California’ c 1950
‘Self-portrait on Lounge, Oceanside Resort, California’ c 1950
via Artblart
Emily House i-spy

Tottenham Court Road Tube

2011-02-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

Living in London for the past 25 years, Tottenham Court Road is a familiar and favourite station for me, so hearing that the Eduardo Paolozzi mural down on the tube are under threat came as a shock and makes me reflect on the impact of this beautiful public artworks has had for me and thousands of other commuters. Eduardo Paolozzi 1926-2005, was Scottish and the son of Italian Immigrants. He studied at St Martins and the Slade School of Fine Art . He spent several years in Paris in the late 1940s then returned to London and had a studio in Chelsea.
His murals at Tottenham Court Road inspired by Soho life conjure up city life in London Town and remind us why we live in this colourful city, an ecleptic mix of abstract pattern and bizarre imagery says it all. I hope TFL can somehow preserve his work.

Balls!

2011-02-11T00:20:00.001-08:00

PLAY

Inventing Kindergarten

2011-02-06T00:23:00.001-08:00

I recently brought a book by Norman Brosterman called Inventing Kindergarten. Brosterman writes about the work and ideas of educationalist, the originator of the Kindergarten (childrens garden) Fredrich Froebel (1782-1852). Froebel devised 20 'Gifts and Occupations' as educational teaching tools. Coloured paper shapes,beads, origami and simple weaving structures to more spatial 3D forms such as building blocks. The gifts come in a sequence and relate to the gift before in material, weight and shape. They allow for play in pattern, structure and form and cleverly introduces the concept of geometry, abstraction and mathematics through imaginative play. I love the structure of these exercises and the subtle introduction to aesthetics at an early age. It doesn't therefore surprise us that former pupils at Froebels kindergarten are Frank Lloyd Wright, Mondrian, George Braque, Klee, Kandinsky and makes you wonder if the early experiences at Froebels kindergartens attribute to the roots of Modernist Art and Design.
The Childs Garden of Modernism.
Norman Brosterman

Paper Pattern making

2011-02-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Queen of plastic

2011-01-26T00:51:00.000-08:00

Topi Tijani work has gone from strength to strength since graduating from Chelsea in 2009. Currently artist in residence at Chelsea she is developing a fabulous range of plastic bags and accessories by laminating her digital prints within a thick durable plastic. The results are a breath of fresh air, its great to see a student develop their work into a creative but viable product.
Topi Tijiani

Bon Bon Kakku

2011-01-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Here's ex-Chelsea graduate Vicky Murdoch's work on the Bon Bon Kakku site from her lovely cat collection. Bon Bon Kakku is digital print company in Finland who specialises in furnishing fabrics in a unique way by inviting designers to upload their designs and the designs that get the most votes get out in production and sold on the site, a really nice concept and I can buy some of Vicky's work at a really reasonable price.
Bon Bon Kakku
Vicky Murdock at Silken Favours

The Slow Textile Group in Stylus.com

2011-01-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

What a better start to the new year to have an article in on Slow Textiles and the workshops Emma and I are currently holding at the V&A in Stylus.com, the international trend and research site for consumer industries. The article discusses how the principles that The Slow Textile Group adopt could have implications on the wider textile industry. Fostering social interaction, shared learning and conversation provides engagement with the product which in turn can have long term ecological effects. The article also acknowledges The Slow Textiles Group aim to 'empower the consumer' through workshops by teaching old and new techniques.

Happy Christmas!

2010-12-22T13:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas and a great 'creative' new year with lots of projects in the pipeline and a possible new book in the making. Its been fun writing my blog and an outcome for of ideas, observations and thoughts. Thanks for all your support and much valued feedback, despite difficult times the future looks bright for digital textiles!

Making snowflakes

2010-12-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

How to make a snowflake

Fabric works: Louise Bourgeois

2010-12-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

Louise Bourgeois: Fabric works
I was so lucky to catch the last day of Louise Bourgeois exhibition at Hauser & Wirth, Saville Row, London.
A exhibition showing 70 textile pieces of the late Louise Bourgeois reminds us the significance and beauty of every day cloth and how fabric played an important part in Bourgeois life and art. A life-long hoarder of clothes and household items such as tablecloths, napkins and bed linen, from the mid-nineties Bourgeois cut up and re-stitched these, transforming her lived materials into art. Through sewing she attempted to effect psychological repair: ‘I always had the fear of being separated and abandoned. The sewing is my attempt to keep things together and make things whole’.
Simple everyday fabrics are patchworked, stitched and woven to create intricate complex geometric pieces giving them new life and a permanent meaning.

Moth patchwork Adobe Illustrator

Glass shapes/cold weather

2010-12-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

Paintings Russell Leng
Photography Melanie

Collage and pattern

2010-12-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

Collage and photoshop

Memphis 1980

Making patterns

2010-12-07T10:51:00.001-08:00

Cultural Identity

2010-12-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Bolivian born Vivian Hidalgo was one of our many talented Slow/Fast participants on the recent V&A workshop that Emma and I ran alongside the current Diaghilev exhibition. Recently finished her MA in graphics at London College of Communication with a rich array of digital textiles that expresses her cultural indentity and traditional textiles from her country. She creates a new visual language translating the beauty of an old skill using digital media and new technologies. 'For this project I use the digital media to transform as a resource to produce from slow (hand woven) to fast (digital pattern) process' Vivian Hidalgo

The way ahead...

2010-11-28T01:25:00.000-08:00

Fast/Slow workshop inspired by Diaghilev and the golden Age of The Ballet Russe V&A Museum.

'At the moment Russian art is in a state of transition. History places any nascent movement in this position when the principles of the older generation clash and struggle with the newly emerged demands of youth. Our art has not only collapsed-on the contrary, I feel that this is the best moment to unite and, as one, to assume our place in the life of European art'
Diaghilev The art of Enchantment.

Burberry at Chelsea

2010-11-23T13:23:00.001-08:00

This term Stage Three students at Chelsea have been working on an exciting project with Burberry with the theme 'Inside/Outside'. The link between Burberry and Chelsea is the location of Millbank by the River Thames and the Chelsea Parade ground has been the Burberry fashion show venue over the last two years. In the 18th and 19th century, the site of the college used to be the infamous Millbank Prison, designed using Bentham's 'Panoptican' building design. The project encourages students to uncover and revive vintage materials and historic processes that were current at the time of Millbank Prison, and to connect them to new, textile processes and innovations of tomorrow as well as sustainability. See the student blog to see students projects and interesting historical finds around the time and area and how the concepts are applied to contemporary thinking and textile design. I have got a feeling Christopher Bailey may be impressed.
Top image: Jo Fowles
Bottom: Imogen Houldsworth
Chelsea Textile Blog

Postcard from Egypt

2010-11-17T12:54:00.000-08:00

Egyptian Skies

Democratic Digital Textile Design

2010-11-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

Last week I gave a presentation on Digital Textiles 'Now' to the V&A participants, focusing on the growth of the pro-amateur and home grown designer that are creating there own textiles by utilising local digital textile print bureaus and in turn revitalizing local textile industry. For example Bonbonkakku and Beta Fashion offer a democratic voting system through crowd sourcing for which the winning design designs go into production and are sold. 'Spoonflower' offer the amateur and the professional on-line community to share design work and final products through bespoke digital printing. I love this approach to design, digital printing is making it possible to design, print and produce fabric, share and sell on-line, thus changing the way design is consumed.

The Pira International report 2009 states 'Textiles production has moved to countries with low labour rates, but digital printing may change that. Short runs and agile manufacturing are set to force some production back to North America and Western Europe. More of the cotton that is shipped from the US to China will stay at home, to be made into fabric that will be digitally printed locally to satisfy design-savvy consumers locally, while digital print will allow more designers to create and test new designs more quickly'

Fast/Slow textile design at the V&A

2010-11-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Inspired by The Ballet Russe, the current exhibition at the V&A, the participants of the Fast/Slow workshop have done some fabulous digital designs. Today was full of rich dialogue about digital textiles and its relevance today, referencing and making comparisons between the avant garde artist of the Ballet Russe era and the digital pioneers of todays catwalk designers reflecting the exciting times we are in. Next two weeks Emma talks about the Slow textile process/reflection/conversations to add to these wonderful textile designs.

The old avant garde, The new avant garde

2010-11-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Looking at digital pioneers Basso and Brooke and Mary Katrantzou and artists of the Ballet Russe Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov we can see the energy and excitment generated by both generation of artists. Old traditions, new technology, both sets of artists break the rules setting the field for the next generation. A clash of aesthetics creates new styles and a new era of experimentation,

Dress on Dress

2010-10-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

I always love a digital dress on dress, this one is by Paul Smith I spotted in Fenwicks, printed on a silk jersey gives the canny illusion of a fitted dress but is really a shift dress, very good Mr Smith.

Slow/Fast prep Week 3

2010-10-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Fast/Slow workshop at the V&A has got off to a great pace, using immediate hands on techniques of painting, mark making and collage and translation into pattern repeats, this week we look at cut out motifs inspired by Nadia's book on Papercutting to create quick silhouettes for further compositions for the final scarf and cushion designs ready for digital print.
For further update see Emma Blog

reTHINK!

2010-10-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

The Wallpaper Dress goes on show at The Audax Textile Museum, Netherlands in the current exhibition reTHINK, "The exhibition presents sustainable fashion, interior textiles and product design and examines the questions and dilemmas associated with the development of sustainable products." Other exhibitors include Rebecca Earley, Suzanne Lee, mischer'traxler, Kate Goldsworthy and Atelier NL, all whose work explores ways to embed sustainable design in their process. I am really looking forward to visiting the show in December.

Week One Fast/Slow

2010-10-10T00:51:00.000-07:00

Fast/Slow Workshop V&A

The new avant garde

2010-10-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

I love Mary Katrantzou S/S11 collection, she so confident in digital print and pushes it to it limits with technique as well as themes. Her recent trompe l'oeil print collection creates a three dimension, drawing you into an interior view with her garments shapes playing with lampshade skirts and fringing. It's really quite bizaar and clever.
And with my current research into the artists of The Ballet Russe, their pioneering and avant garde designs in costume and theater.Their experimental work illustrates the transition from the old and traditional past to modernism in the early twentieth Century.
Are we witnessing a similiar movement on the catwalk today with designers playing with new technology, breaking away from tradition to create a new aesthetic for textile design?

Fast/Slow textile design at the V&A

2010-09-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

I am now preparing for the Slow/Fast workshop Emma Neuberg and myself are running at the V&A starting due to start Oct, 8th. Running alongside the current exhibition Diaghileve and the Golden age of The Ballet Russe. We focus on the pioneering works Goncharova and Larionov for our inspiration translating the spirit of their design through Slow/Fast textile concepts with manual and digital techniques. Already in early preparation I feel I am at the start of an adventure of discovering, making parallels between this amazing era and new technology that we facing now. Its very exciting! for more info on the course structure see

Lab Craft London Design Festival

2010-09-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Digital Shibori' goes on show in the Labcraft exhibition, Tent London, curated by Max Fraser September 23rd - 26th Sept, The Truman Brewery, London. Digital adventures in contemporary craft is a new Crafts Council touring exhibition that previews at Tent before launching at the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh, Greater Manchester, from 30 October to 18 December 2010.

Lab Craft features 26 makers who combine the hand, mind and eye, technical mastery of tools and material and aesthetic sensibility with cutting-edge digital technologies such as rapid prototyping, laser cutting, laser scanning and digital printing.

The exhibition is curated by design commentator Max Fraser and designed by maker Tomoko Azumi and features textiles, ceramics, furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting and much more.

Foil it!

2010-09-19T01:22:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the recent Martin Margiela exhibition at Somerset House, TED organised a D Day (Durabilty Day) workshop for its members. Durability Day explored hands on print processes to upcycle our unwanted garments. Investing time and reinventing our wardrobe by reintroducing a new elements allowed us to reconnect with our disused clothes. A bit of silver foil on my top gave it a new lease of life and it suddenly became a precious item again, who needs London Fashion Week.
Left, my top Right, Clara's dress

Lab Craft

2010-09-15T23:50:00.001-07:00

I'm thrilled to be part of Lab Craft, Digital Adventures in Contemporary Craft at Tent London next week. The exhibition features 26 makers who combine the hand, mind and eye and technical mastery of tools with cutting-edge digital technologies. I show my collection 'Digital Shibori' which explores the translation from traditional to digital process. Lab Craft, Tent, The Truman Brewery, London 23rd - 26th September.

New Website!

2010-09-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

www.melaniebowles.co.uk

Hello....

2010-09-04T06:36:00.001-07:00

....and I am back after my summer vacation, with lots of projects on the horizon to blog about.
I am currently preparing for an exciting 8 week workshop I am doing with Dr Emma Neuberg (founder of The Slow Textile Group) at the V&A Museum called Slow/Fast digital and manual Textiles design. The workshop runs alongside the major exhibition Diaghilev and the Golden Age of The Ballet Russe and examines the exquisite and innovative textile work of the company and the impact it had on the early Twentieth century art, theater, ballet, fashion and textiles. Working with hands on techniques and digital technology we hope the workshop will reflect the spirit of the Ballet Russe era through Slow and Fast textile techniques and paces as well as sustainable design theories.
I know this is going to be a rich and fascinating journey.
Diaghilev and the Golden Age of The Ballet Russe, V&A starts 8th September
Fast/Slow Paces, Les Ballet Russes Textile Techniques made easy, The Sackler Center from 8th Oct

Summer Skies

2010-08-07T12:17:00.001-07:00

Cloud watching

2010-07-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

I am on my summer vacation now until Sept when lots of new projects come into fruition!
'The Wallaper Dress' has been selected for ‘Re-Think’ Audax Textile Museum Tilberg, Netherlands and 'Digital Shibori' is to be shown at 'Craft Lab' Exhibition Craft Council curated by Max Fraser as part of The London Design Week in September.
In October I run a series of Slow/Fast workshops at the V&A Sackler Center with Dr Emma Neuberg founder of The SlowTextile Group in parallel with the current exhibition The Ballet Russe.
See you all in Sept with lots of news, ideas and inspiration! Melanie x

Sophie's work

2010-07-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

'Objects From The Heart'
Digital print and hand embroidery by Sophie Parker

Chelsea Textiles is coming to Latitude!

2010-07-15T07:06:00.001-07:00

Chelsea and Central St Martins College of Art and Design are showing their collections at Latitude this weekend on a catwalk on the lake by The Waterfront stage, here's Bethan Smith's work above who created these amazing characters based on native American Ceremonial dress,
I wish I could go! for more

My Paint Shadow Skirt

2010-07-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Inspired by my friend Sarah's blog Postcards from Battersea on 'Paint Shadows,' a series of photographs she took around the studio's at Chelsea one day. I decided to make myself a skirt, a kind of memory of this years left over paintmarks.

Peony's

2010-06-26T05:56:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist photographing my magnificant peony's today, they have to be my favourite flower. Full of symbolism the Peony embody romance and prosperity and are regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage. In Europe its is referred to as the rose with no thorns. Used throughout history in art I am thinking of transferring my peony's onto a skirt.

The Concise Dictionary of Dress

2010-06-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Concise Dictionary of Dress - trailer from Artangel on Vimeo.

I managed to catch this wonderful exhibition The Concise Dictionary of Dress last week at Blythe House, Hammersmith, home to the V&A collections. Never been open to the public before, the exhibition gave us a glimpse of the amazing archive housed in this huge Victorian ex-postal sorting office.
The Concise Dictionary of Dress is an unusual collaboration by costume curator Judith Clark and psychoanalyst Adam Phillips who place eleven thought provoking garments within Blythe House. The tour guided you in silence to each exhibit that was hidden within the extroidinary surroundings of corridors, spiral stair cases, huge storage racks and even led you up to the roof top to witness the magnificant view across London.
Beautifully presented each piece was given a title and a series of definitions which were handed to the viewer on a card, with no discussion this gave you the opportunity to think about the words that were presented to you.
The experience felt like a privilage to be allowed to have access to this hidden treasure.

'Trash Fashion' Designing out of waste, The Science Museum

2010-06-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

Kathy and I found this beautiful 1930's vintage dress once owned by a London debutant. Fascinated by its past history we photographed and reprinted it onto a silk crepe de chine and made it into a modern interpretation using bespoke digital textile printing. The final dress goes on show in the new Antenna Gallery at The Science Museum for The Trash Fashion Exhibition, 'Designing out of waste' with other TED members. The exhibition examines garments that reduce waste and impact on our environment, our garment looks at emotional attachment to a historical piece and sustainability through memory of garment.
The exhibition runs through until Feb 2011 and includes other researchers in the field of environmental textiles, Pia Interlandi, Kate Goldworthy and Suzanne Lee are to name a few.
The Science Museum Photostream

Science Museum Project

2010-06-10T07:32:00.001-07:00

Here's a sneak preview of the first stages of a garment Kathy and I are designing for the Science Museums Exhibition called 'Trash Fashion - Designing out of waste' in The Wellcome Wing due to be exhibited at the end of June a collabroative project with TED research group at Chelsea, apparently our dress will be revolving from a mirror ball, wicked!
Science Museum Photo Steam

Sway

2010-06-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

Chelsea Textiles presented an exciting fashion show last week showcasing exciting fabrics and innovative ideas based on the concept Sway students interpreted characteristics of movement and pattern observed through natural forms.
The show was a spectacular array of garments that emphasised movement through fabric in the most inventive ways. The evening was a great conclusion to the summer term.

A Cardboard Skirt for a Cardboard Shop.

2010-05-16T00:55:00.000-07:00

The new Circus shop in the vibrant Brixton Village is designed by Studio DB and completely made from recycled cardboard, glue and string!
To complete the look I made the shop proprietor Binki Taylor a market apron skirt with a digital print of the cardboard on to wear in the shop. The Cardboard skirt is printed on organic cotton and using a bespoke printing service to create a unique garment for Circus.
The shop interior inspired by waste cardboard boxes in the market bundled up ready for recycling is a resourceful way to use recycled board that makes up shelving units, lights and even a cardboard chair!
Now open The Circus store sells a variety of old and new, up-cycled and locally crafted goods. Surrounded by great eating places, vintage cloths stores and individual shops, studios, and regular street entertainment is a creative reuse of urban space.
Rewiews:
Eco Fashion World
Frame
Drapers Record
Design Week

Spring Floral shirt

2010-05-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

Mijae sent me this lovely image of a digital floral shirt print today.

Mcqueen's Boy Patchwork

2010-04-29T14:06:00.001-07:00

I love Mcqueen's menswear patchwork, a clever digital print inspired by a traditional patchwork and beautifully engineered into its garment shape. Is this Digital Crafting? I heard an ex Chelsea grad worked on this print!

Patchwork

2010-04-29T12:49:00.001-07:00

Patchwork in the air, here's one of my versions using Illustrator

+ so on + sew on + so + so

2010-04-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

+ so on + sew on + so + so *1 from Marie O'Connor on Vimeo.

I love this series of animations by Marie O'Connor and Pete Mellor. Music by Four Tet, Gorodisch, Caribou and Murcof.

Thursday's Kaleidoscopic Scarves

2010-04-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

Spring is here, the lights great, get out those old kaleidoscopes and make yourself a pattern.

Our Kaleidoscope Day

2010-04-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Kathy and I went on a laser cutting workshop for a staff development day at Camberwell College of Art, to our surprise we created a kaleidoscope by laser cutting all the components out of acrylic, card and mirrors and assembling them together, looking through we created some beautiful symmetrical patterns. There something magical about the kaleidoscope, maybe because its ever changing patterns and reflected light takes you into another world and no pattern is the same. Put a camera to it and it becomes a brilliant design tool and pattern generator for digital design, see our silk scarves created from the kaleidoscope in my next post. Get out those old kaleidoscopes!

Kaleidoscope

2010-04-10T02:26:00.000-07:00

The Wallpaper Dress

2010-04-02T03:35:00.001-07:00

The Wallpaper Dress

The Wallpaper Dress is a collaborative project between Melanie, creator of blog makeitdigital and author of Digital Textile Design, and Sarah, creator of blog postcardsfrombattersea and a textiles trend researcher.

The project explores themes of customisation and emotional attachment, where a found pattern is transformed into a treasured and unique garment using local resources and skills. The journey has enabled Sarah to be part of the entire process from the initial discovery of the print, to the reworking and printing, making and finally styling in a photo shoot that brings the original and modern interpretation together.

The print originated as a sample piece of hand block-printed wallpaper that was found by Sarah at her local vintage fair in Battersea. Melanie scanned the sample and put the design into repeat using Photoshop, which she then digitally printed onto cloth at Chelsea College of Art, where she is a senior lecturer. The original texture of the block print was maintained by using organic linen that gave a slightly faded and textural surface quality.

Sarah and Melanie chose a dress pattern that was in keeping with the character of the print and worked with Lynn, a local dressmaker based in Herne Hill, to create a custom-made dress for Sarah. As a way of merging analogue and digital techniques, Melanie hand-embroidered over some of the motifs to create subtle placement details that explored themes of slow textiles and of a hybrid digital craft.

The entire process took place in an area of 4.5 miles in South London.

Modern Folk

2010-03-28T11:50:00.001-07:00

I attended a Slow Textile Workshop by Emma Neuberg, were we studied the Scandinavian technique of paper cut-out. The Swedish name for this craft 'Snickeregladie' which means 'carpenter's happiness'. The cut out were originally worked in paper and wood. Studying the original designs we translated our cut-out motifs further in Adobe Illustrator , a nice combination of hands-on and the digital which will hopefully produce some stunning digital designs with a modern folk twist.