This autumn sees Morris & Co. venture into an exciting new stage as two striking, decorative collections beautifully capture the historic essence of the Morris brand. Drawing inspiration from documents found within the original and extensive Morris archive, the collection is made up of a mix of embroideries and weaves which have been expertly crafted to illustrate the distinct decorative style and bold colours for which Morris was known and the graphic design style associated with the Arts & Crafts movement.

William Morris was one of the most significant characters during the time of the Arts & Crafts movement and he remains one of the most well known British designers to this day. His essential aim was to achieve the high standards of craftsmanship that he believed had been lost due to the dehumanizing effects of the industrial revolution.   

“William Morris’ love for medieval art and design and passion for rich and distinct colours has been reflected in this collection of expertly designed delicate embroideries and textural weaves. We are sure that they will spark an invigorated interest in the era of Art and Crafts, the artisan movement and the inspiring life story of William Morris, the writer, poet, artist and designer.”

Liz Cann, Design Director at Morris & Co.

Within these collections many of William Morris’ best known designs have been updated through variation of scale and vivacious colouring. Natural forms are drawn with boldness of hand but given flowing composition. Distinct vibrant teals, rich cranberries and soft golds have been taken from the palette for which Morris was famously known and have come full circle to feature in the most contemporary interiors. The result is a rich and useable collection, whether used lavishly in the most
traditional of homes or scattered across a more modern space.

Pimpernel

The Pimpernel collection comprises six designs, woven onto various qualities including smart flat weaves and textural chenilles, which come in a range of exciting colourways. Three of these weave designs have taken their inspiration from some of Morris’ best known motifs and are suitable for both curtains and light upholstery. Planet, a ‘statement’ weave, depicts a stylised thistle stem arranged in the form of a serpentine trail and Artichoke, a recognisable design, demonstrates a decorative style reminiscent of Morris’ earlier work with swirling tendrils in a symmetrical artichoke pattern. ‘Kelmscott’, inspired by the village in Oxfordshire where Morris once lived and described as ‘heaven on earth’, is a simple, graceful design originally drawn by C.F.Voysey, who was an architect and designer strongly influenced by Morris’ famous apartment.
 
The weave collection includes three more designs that have a wonderful rich texture reminiscent of the tapestries from which Morris was inspired and are suitable for curtains and heavy domestic upholstery. ‘Evenlode’ has been adapted from Morris’ original design and has been given a more graphic look with stylised tulips depicted in a meandering trail. ‘Larkspur’ is a highly elaborate design which shows a winding vertical stem of swirling fern leaves around small groups of flowers and the final design, ‘Pimpernel’, is an unusual figure of eight design which features tulip leaves and flowers.

The Embroidery Collection

The Embroidery Collection consists of five beautifully detailed designs stitched on a mix of linen and silk grounds. Designs include ‘Acanthus’, a simple leaf design which  has been delineated by an oversized stitched outline upon a linen ground, ‘Tulip Embroidery’ a striking single tulip motif loosely arranged as a spot repeat and ‘Lily Embroidery’ with its hand screen printed background of tiny leaf trails over which exquisite groups of flowers such as lilies and daisies are expertly embellished. Completing the collection are ‘May Embroidery’, an intricate design adapted from a fabric originally drawn by William Morris’ sister May, available on both silk and linen grounds and ‘Fruit Embroidery’, a spectacular embroidered silk taken from one of Morris’ most well known designs featuring a rich and ornate pattern of pomegranates and lemons.  


For further information, product loans and image requests please contact:

VMPR Unit C20 The Old Imperial Laundry 71 Warriner Gardens London SW11 4XW
T: 020 7720 2255 F: 020 7720 4555 E: ginnyw@vmpr.com / hermionel@vmpr.com