Reflections on New York

Our recent trip to New York was a fantastic experience and I really valued the opportunity to visit practicing studios. I found the Maharam textile studio visit the most inspiring, in both the designs they are producing, which are beautiful and unique and the way they operate as a company.

I was particularly interested in their environmental policies and how they work to reduce the environmental impact of production across the company.
The fact that their ethos was less trend led but combined innovation and tradition to create timeless designs was also refreshing and inspiring to see.

Collaboration with other designers and artists was something I noticed across a few of the studios. Maharam, the Rug Company and Flavour Paper all worked with different artists and designers to bring outside ideas and designs into their work and collections. This is something I had previously not given much consideration to but having visited the studios I think its a really interesting way of working as it builds and reinforces the connections between art, fashion and textiles.

I was very intrigued by Flavour Paper, the Brooklyn based studio/ workshop felt very fresh and fun. I admire the fact that they were making everything in house and had a commitment to quality and innovation, doing their own thing, very well.

New York has been a fantastically immersive city to explore with the range and contrast of buildings and districts providing constant captivation. In a slightly whirlwind week, I enjoyed how distinct the different districts were and valued getting to see the city from different perspectives from the Rockafella Building and Staten Island; with the High Line and Central Park providing sanctuary from the pace of the city. I found plenty of inspiration in the layers of architecture and lines and found many quirks to inspire this project.

(the financial district/ 9/11 memorial)

(view from Staten Island ferry)