From The Textile Eye Archive - “YSL: Dreams of the Orient”

In the very first edition of The Textile Eye, we covered the 2018-2019 exhibition entitled Yves Saint Laurent: Dreams of the Orient at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, which I had the pleasure of seeing while in Paris for Maison et Objet and Paris Deco Off 2019.

The show brought together approximately fifty haute couture designs inspired by India, China and Japan. These pieces from the collection of the Museum were displayed in dialogue with Asian artworks borrowed from the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, and private collectors, creating a show rich in texture, color, and culture.

Textiles, Design, Exhibition/MuseumSaana BakerAugust 1, 2022Comment

Going with The Grain: Q&A with Lison de Caunes, the Grande Dame of Straw Marquetry

Report 13 cover star Lison de Caunes – granddaughter of Art Deco master André Groult – tells The Textile Eye about growing up in her acclaimed grandfather’s design studio, reviving straw marquetry savoir faire, and why the material is so popular for furniture and interiors today.

Joie de Vivre: Paris Trade Show Trends

Get a preview of all the best new insights and inspirations from Maison et Objet and Paris Deco Off, pulled from our exclusive trend book Report 13: Paris in Spring. The full 200 page report is a comprehensive resource, including seven visual themes, key colors in easy-to-use palettes complete with HEX references, Q&As with top practitioners of French savoir-faire and an inspiring look at the Yves Saint-Laurent exhibitions that took over the museums of Paris.

Milan Design Week 2021: Trend Analysis

After being postponed from April 2020, Milan Design Week’s Fuorisalone and a special edition of Salone del Mobile brought fresh ideas and excitement.

Happy Birthday, Suzie Zuzek!

The work of Suzie Zuzek (1920-2011) received some well-deserved attention this past year. A beautiful monograph, “Suzie Zuzek for Lilly Pulitzer: The Artist Behind an Iconic American Fashion Brand, 1962-1985”, a sol o show at the Cooper Hewitt, and a stellar presentation by Susan Brown, Associate Curator of Textiles at the Cooper Hewitt and co-author of the book, all shed light on Suzie’s beautiful but little-known work.

Exhibition/Museum, Textiles, DesignSaana BakerDecember 5, 2021Textile Design, Fiber Art, American Art, Fashion Design, Pattern Design, ArchivesComment

Future Fabric Trends: Proposte Fair 2021

Since 1993, Proposte Fair has been an indispensable trade show for the high-end, home furnishings textile industry. By now, I have lost count of how many times I have walked the halls of Proposte looking for the perfect textile for this collection or that project. I first visited early on in my career when I worked at Schumacher, and I’ve never stopped feeling like a kid in a candy store.

Staying Power: Report 10’s Iconic American Pattern Design Styles of Today and Tomorrow

In the Fall 2021 - Staying Power edition we ask: What defines iconic American design, and what will define it tomorrow? The pandemic’s new way of life has ignited nostalgic interest in tried-and-true favorites, dovetailed with fresh interpretations.

On the Fall 2021 Cover: Ferrick Mason's New Naturalism

Nature has been the great Muse for centuries, and it is no less impactful today. Pattern designers turn to the natural world for inspiration, with current renditions offering personal and textural takes on trees, leaves, landscapes, and waterscapes. Pratt Institute-trained painter Alex Mason is no exception to the call of the wild. The result is Ferrick Mason, a hand-rendered fabric and wallpaper line full of graphic, abstract repeats and references to sinuous flora and fauna. The brand graces the cover of Staying Power: Iconic American Designs of Today and Tomorrow, with an interview in the “The New Naturalists” theme.

But Alex Mason wasn’t always in full bloom.

Craft that Sustains: Interviewing Caralarga, our “Handmade in North America” Cover Star

The beauty of handcrafted objects of the highest quality has always been appreciated by interior designers—and is more appealing than ever to end consumers eager for a break from mass-production and tech. While the appreciation for the handcrafted has waxed and waned in the US, Mexico never strayed from the commitment to hand craft. Building on deep roots, Mexican designers like Caralarga are forging a new tradition of sublimely modern and socially responsible design.

Get to Know Our Paris Cover Stars: Prelle and Passementerie Verrier Paris

Two quintessentially French brands were the natural choice for our Report 8: Very Paris cover. Manufacture Prelle and Passementerie Verrier Paris - each with over 250 years of French production- represent the crème de la crème. And they have a unique way of working together that highlights their expertise. Get to know these luxurious cover stars!

Surface Design Trends: The Best of 2020, Influencing 2021

Dear readers: We want to keep you in-the-know, so we rounded up a couple of the most important themes from our special report Best of 2020 & Influences for 2021. The styles that came out on top in 2020 were largely influenced by how COVID-19 changed our lives, and they will no doubt be here for years to come.

Thread History: Rosie Lee Tompkins' Quilt Brilliance

On February 19th, 2020, a massive retrospective of nearly seventy works by Rosie Lee Tompkins (1936-2006), an accomplished African-American quilt artist, opened at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). A new awareness of her creations as true pieces of art, encompassing masterful color choices, sharp social commentary, and brilliant composition, is emerging.

Diverse Textile Voices, Exhibition/Museum, TextilesRobyn WillsonJanuary 6, 2021Textile Design, Fiber Art, Quilts, American Art, Black ArtistsComment

The Latest on the Blog…

Join Free Membership

Create a free account for access to selected resources and insights.

Stay Connected

Interested in Design Consultation?

Explore Saana’s portfolio and services below.