MARIMEKKO

What, you don't know Marimekko?  Of course you do...you may not know that you know Marimekko...but this Finish design house has been around since the mid 20th century and those poppy's have been everywhere...ever since.

 Marimekko, based in Helsinki, is known for it's bold fabrics and bright designs.  The look of Marimekko was a tremendous influence on fashion in the mid century and most of the patterns are still in production today.


The company was made famous in the U.S. by Jackie Kennedy who wore a rotation of eight Marimekko dresses during the 1960 presidential campaign.


Crate and Barrel has had a long standing relationship with Marimekko, even decorating some of their stores with the designs.


I found several of these designs on the online store...Textile Arts.

I hope you enjoyed...Marimekko seemed like the perfect candidate to end our week of Pattern.
Please join us next week when we introduce a new muse!
Have a beautiful weekend everyone!
yancey

LIBERTY OF LONDON

Give me Liberty of London!

 Somehow I missed the whole Liberty of London for Target thing...must have been busy.  I, of course, was aware of the storied British fabric line, but I had always thought of L-of-L as little old lady(ish)...you know, ditsy flowers on pastel backgrounds.  Man, was I ever wrong.  A thousand apologies to you Mr. Arthur Liberty...a thousand.

Arthur Liberty, born in 1843, was the son of a draper who as a teenager became an apprentice to a draper in London.  Mr. Liberty loved all things Japanese. He convinced the department store, for which he worked, to purchase all the Japanese items that were available to them and allow him to manage the "oriental warehouse".   Thus began a love affair between fashionable London ladies and Japanese design, particularly the kimono.


With 2,000 borrowed dollars from his father in law, Arthur Liberty opened his own store across the street from the store for which he worked.  Once again, indulging his love of Japanese design, he dressed all of his shop girls in kimonos.  


Mr. Liberty began importing un-dyed silks from Asia and had them dyed in England and hand printed with wooden blocks.  By the 1920's, he had developed relationships with leading English designers of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, making his store on of the most prestigious in London, and his Liberty of London Prints sought after by fashionable ladies everywhere.

I found these Liberty of London neckties on Etsy...I think they are absolutely fantastic...would you wear these Braxton?

MAC Cosmetics issued a Give me Liberty of London collection.  Aren't these darling?

Oh my god, the scarfs!

Found this very posh snake skin design bathing suit on the L-of-L website.

 "I was determined not to follow existing fashion but to create new ones"  Arthur Liberty

 "Liberty is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper"  Oscar Wilde

I am so happy to have been so wrong about Liberty of London...L-of-L doesn't stand for Little old lady at all...I love it!
What do you think?
Have a beautiful day.
yancey

FLORENCE BROADHURST - TEXTILE DESIGNER

FLORENCE BROADHURST 1899 - 1977

 My choice of pattern as this weeks muse is one I'm particularly excited about.  Braxton and I are embarking on a new project, one that requires me to learn all that I can about textile design and production.  With the scope of this project and it's steep learning curve, I will need more time to focus, meaning I'll be blogging a little less...for now.


I promise to take you all along on the ride when I can...but for now I must keep it under wraps.  Oh how I love being mysterious!


Now, on to textile designer extraordinaire....Florence Broadhurst.


Ms. Broadhurst was an Australian, born in Queensland, who reinvented herself many times through out her life.  She was at times an actress, director, model, singer, world traveler..then at the age of 60 (yes, 60!) she went back to Australia and began a textile business.  
Florence was mysteriously murdered in her office in 1977, a crime which has never been solved.

 Florence Broadhurst created hundreds of luxuriously colorful and bold patters, often printed on transparent mylars, foils and metallic papers.  She considered her work "vigorous designs for modern living".

 The Kate Spade company has recently reissued some of Ms. Broadhurst's prints on clothes and home goods, even redecorating many KS stores in her signature black and white prints.
"Florence Broadhurst's prints were far ahead of their time", says Deborah Lloyd, creative director of Kate Spade.

 After being out of circulation for almost 20 years, Florence Broadhurst prints are being reissued by "Signature Prints" and sold through out the United States.

Florence Broadhurst Concept Store in Brisbane Australia.

I absolute have to have this book...like now.  Isn't the cover to die beautiful?

She hand painted her designs which were then hand screen printed, which is how "Signature Prints" is producing them today...how wonderful is that?

Florence at her light box.

How great is this movie poster?  Must see.

 Thank you Florence Broadhurst...I am so very inspired!

Random:  Braxton and I saw "The Artist" over the weekend.  Seriously, treat yourself, you won't be sorry.  It's completely charming, and the period (late 20's/early 30's) fashion and decor is fantastic!  Love love love.


Have a beautiful day 
yancey


BTW:  What do you guys think of Florence Broadhurst?  Isn't she wonderful...I'm pretty sure I want to be her when I grow up...of course apart from the mysterious murder.