Monday 22nd January: Patternity X John Lewis "POSITIVE PATTERNS"

I’ve been a fan of pattern powerhouse “Patternity” since their inception and enjoyed following their success from screen printing tights to exhibitions, events, book deals and collaborations such as The Imperial War Museum and Clarks shoes.  The latest and most epic venture is with John Lewis to bring a range that merges home and fashion of over 100 pieces. The collection is called ‘POSITIVE PATTERNS’ with the concept to address and inspire positive rituals and flowing transitions in daily life.

My flow has literally been inspired with the athleisure line which I wore to Chromayoga before the official launch over the road at The Ace Hotel.  A whole day of workshops was laid on to to dig deeper into the themes of the collection, focusing on both our wellness and also practically using the pieces.  This involved mindful marble printing to match their gratitude journal and a meditation practise supported with the sweat towel and cushion!

Organic cotton and recycled materials have been used on these items where possible and designed to be multifunctional and inspire mindful living.  The event taught us that by taking time out for ourselves during a working day is ultimately more productive.  So it’s a double whammy of relief to our consciousness to be assured that the items are ethically produced.  Another bonus has resulted by John Lewis researching and adopting these manufacturing processes so that it will carry into other products across their departments.

So, congratulations Anna & Grace for both this beautiful collection and for actively championing Fair Trade practises to one of the county’s biggest high street retailers!

Wednesday 13th December: Patternity update

I dropped in to the Patternity Seasonal sale and marble workshop to stock up on some dazzle merch and catch up with the duo on their patterned plans for 2018.  There's a BIG announcement in store so keep an eye out and ear to the ground for that news unveiling very soon................ I can't wait to share!

Thursday 19th October: Patternity X The Wellcome Trust "INFECTIOUS PATTERN"

Patternity invited me to The Wellcome Trust to see their collaboration "INFECTIOUS PATTERN" which is a venture to highlight the research that Wellcome supports via a patterned installation and film.  The windows down the Euston Road which are always brilliantly filled with scientific themed artwork now house the signature Patternity op-art designs.  For this site-specific project they researched and referenced the institution's library as source material for the shapes.  For example the iconic Memphis style squiggles originally came from an Alan Turing print derived from bacteria in a petri dish.  I never even knew this fact until their presentation and Q&A with Mike Turner who is Head of Infection & Immunobiology at Wellcome.  Mike gave a history of the success in supporting schemes such as Malaria medicine & prevention and HIV home-testing kits.  He also covered the current widespread urgent issue on the implications of antibiotic misuse. 
It's issues such as this that the campaign is targeting to address in educating the public passing the installation and via Patternity's global online network and community.  Part of this outreach is a chance to print your own patterned tote bag to wear wherever you go to share the message and "spread" the word.  Here you can see the bag which I collaged together during the press preview which is now a workshop open to the public.  Head over to Biletto for a ticket from which the proceeds will go to Unicef's life-saving vaccines.  

See the animated film here.

Wednesday 28th September: LDF - Patternity at The Ace Hotel

Whilst navigating our way around London to find the Design Festival trail across North, East, West and South we scrambled up an "Ascension" bouldering wall at Ace Hotel!  Patternity designed a gradient pattern for the new installation in the gym which will become a permanent fixture for guests after the event.  The hand-painted hues across the handles and foot-holds celebrate the power of patience and perseverance as part of  Ace's "Ready Made Go 2" project.  It was much tougher than it probably looks here!  I almost had to give up and jump off!  Great fun!

Join Patternity's plant life drawing workshop at The Ace on Oct 11th - book here.

Thurs 24th Sept: PATTERNITY at Somerset House / London Design Festival

PATTERNITY are busy (stripes) bees, also creating an interactive environment at Somerset House for LDF.  In a wing of 10 new designers, PATTERNITY's installation is a whole room of pattern sculptures and walls plotted as an immersive space for visitors to climb inside.  

Thursday 24th Sept: Patternity Festival Of Pattern

Patternity held a five-day festival celebrating the inspirational power of pattern to coincide with London Design Festival and to launch their very own book on the subject.  The exhibition included curated pairings of photographic prints, interiors using their archive of products and collaborations and films.  The opening night also had a live performance of a sound artist demonstrating the patterns in sound waves by pouring salt on a platform above the vibrations of the speaker.  Totally cosmic.  Totally Paternity!  Check out their site to see more about the events from the festival, upcoming projects and buy the book.