Let’s Talk Signature Styles (part 1)
Note: I pulled examples of each of these artists’ work and thought about including them, but a quick search of copyright rules made me think twice. I also want to respect the work of these artists, regardless of the fact they are superstars in the industry and probably wouldn’t know if I mentioned their work on my little blog. I have included links to their websites for your reference.
Since I started this journey nearly a year ago, one thing that has been repeated over and over again has been finding your signature style. There’s a dead horse analogy here, but I never really understand that one so we’ll skip it for now. And everyone who talks about signature style says the same thing: someone should know it’s your work without your name being attached to it. And I always think the same thing: that’s a tall order.
I mean, really, how many pattern designers can you name off the top of your head whose work you know without their name being attached? I did a little experiment where I tried to name all those that I knew off the top of my head (no cheating either), and this is the list I came up with. Let’s dive a little deeper, shall we?
Tula Pink
If you have talked to me about aspirational goals for pattern design, then I probably have mentioned the name Tula Pink to you. I like her stuff, a lot. I own a lot of her fabric, which is how I know about Ms. Pink, but it’s too precious to use at the moment (I’m working on it). But Tula Pink designs are distinctive in the use of bright colors and intricate details. She often uses animals in her designs in new ways, sometimes hiding them amongst traditional scroll work.
Having watching an interview (or several) with her, Ms. Pink walked through her process of working out the repeat BY HAND! I can’t even fathom that, but I am truly in awe of the way her creative brain works.
Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic
Longtime fans of Target may remember that this was one of the first collections they carried to really begin to revitalize their brand and make them the fashionable staple they are today. I myself still own a set of sheets from the Shabby Chic collection at Target, and I remember watching a television show about Ms. Ashwell shopping for the china that would be used in a restaurant of Jennifer Lopez (I might have those facts wrong. And a quick Google search tells me that apparently she designed the whole restaurant, now closed).
A friend recently told me she met Ms. Ashwell at a book signing and was able to ask her if she ever wanted to design anything else, to which she replied no. This was her entire life. Huh, that’s interesting.
Rifle Paper Co.
The look of this brand is so distinctive that it has copied endlessly. Whenever I see a blob shaped flowers with a dot in the center and lines surrounding it representing petals, I know it’s either Rifle’s design or someone copying their design. Apparently the original designer, Anna Bond, no longer does much of the design work, but rather they hire designers who can work in the Rifle style. Regardless of who’s drawing these days, I own a lot of their products because they are beautiful and happy and whimsical, and who doesn’t need more of that in their life?
Vera Bradley
Truth? I never really got on the Vera Bradley bandwagon. I was gifted several of her items, most of which have found newer homes. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the prints, I did like them, it was just that I prefer for my handbags to be more neutral and of a heavier duty material. That is, until there was a Harry Potter collaboration. Then I absolutely wanted one of the bags because I thought it was so cleverly designed. The way Harry Potter icons were incorporated into the Vera Bradley style was so well done that I was sold.
I don’t know much about the company, but I would image that it has reached such levels that they also probably hire designers to design in their signature style.
Liberty of London
A quick Google search confirms what I thought I knew, but Liberty of London is actually a department store that sells all manner of goods, but is probably most famous for it’s floral fabrics. I can’t say this as fact, but they are likely the inspiration for a lot of the ditzy florals we see today (thought that is just my speculation). I personally own some Liberty fabric, but used it up and never bought more because I found it wasn’t really my style. I appreciate the importance of the designs, but there is a feeling of 1930s reproduction fabric there for me, which is not something I typically use either.
Kaffe Fassett
This one might stump some of you who are not fabric lovers. He designs for Free Spirit fabrics, alongside Tula Pink, and is said to use the maximum number of colors possible in traditional fabric production. He is known for bold, abstract shapes and unique motifs (like cabbage).
The thing that I find most interesting about his work is how it has been received. People in the fabric world LOVE his stuff, but it definitely stands out (not as much these days, but certainly it did years ago). I have seen quilters who normally stick to quite a reserved color palette go gaga over his stuff. It’s remarkable the appeal well designed patterns can have on people.
Orla Kiely
I was talking with a veteran in the industry not too long ago and she mentioned this person’s name in reference to one of prints. I looked at her like I had no idea what words had just come out of her mouth because I had no idea what words just came out of her mouth. She repeated the name, I still looked clueless, and then she pulled a book off her shelf. I immediately recognized the pattern on the front of it, and you probably will too (look for her “Stems” collection).
William Morris
I’ve never owned any of his prints, but I have come across his name a surprising number of times. I feel like Mr. Morris’ work has surpassed that of just the print and design worlds and made it to the mainstream. Good for him!
https://morrisandco.sandersondesigngroup.com/fabric/
So now a fun question goes to you: what pattern designers do you know off the top of your head that you can identify just from their work that wasn’t included on this list?? Leave your answers in the comments below!