New fabric collections for SS/2020

It was on the cusp of ‘lockdown life’ that Design Centre Chelsea Harbour managed to squeeze in their annual London Design Week exhibition, which took place 8th-13th March 2020. For decor enthusiasts the London Design Week is a fantastic opportunity to see (and feel) new fabrics, wallpapers and other decorative items.

I’ve learned from experience and now go with a ‘mission list’, contacting specific brands and PR’s prior to visiting and booking in time slots to see the collections which I am most likely to use in my work. Otherwise, Chelsea Harbour Design Centre - where LDW takes place - houses such a superb array of brands and stores that it’s easy to become somewhat overwhelmed.

Initially I want to highlight Raf Simons and his fabric collection with Kvadrat. Notable for his fashion design work, Raf Simons trained in furniture design and in 2014 started working with Kvadrat on a collection of upholstery fabrics and material.

Image credit: Rory Robertson New Fabric Collections Shoot, SS2020, photography Alexander Edwards. Background paint Pitch Blue No.220 Farrow and Ball with, clockwise from top left, Zero by Sahco 013, Phlox by Kvafrat Raf Simons 883, Zero by Sahco 010, Atom by Kvadrat Raf Simons 194, Argo 2 by Kvadrat Raf Simons 743, Byram by Kvadrat Raf Simons. Small paint Ultra Blue No.264 Little Greene.

“I was fascinated by how the colouration and weaving processes in fashion textiles don’t have the same limitations as those of furnishing textiles. Working with Kvadrat, we’ve been translating the subtle colouration and texture that you’d find perhaps in a tweed or bouclé into textiles suitable for use in furniture. Because of the dense weave that is needed for furniture, the colouration becomes even more interesting, with almost a painterly impact.” - Raf Simons

Image credit: Rory Robertson New Fabric Collections Shoot, SS2020, photography Alexander Edwards. Background paint Pitch Blue No.220 Farrow and Ball and Ultra Blue No.264 Little Greene with, clockwise from top left, Phlox by Kvadrat Raf Simons 883, Zero by Sahco 004, Byram by Kvadrat Raf Simons 791, Argo 2 by Kvadrat Raf Simons. Small paint Pitch Blue No.220 Farrow and Ball.

Of the latest 2020 collection Kvadrat comment that “drawing on his innate sense of style as well as wide-ranging interests in modern art, design, music, graphics and architecture, Raf Simons has developed a distinctive vision for the interior. His bold and sure-handed explorations of colour, texture and pattern have extended across an expanding suite of textiles and accessories created with Kvadrat. The Kvadrat/Raf Simons collection brings the acclaimed designer’s exceptional sense of style to the home.  The 2020 collection includes two new upholstery fabrics – Helia, Silas and Sunniva 3 received a colour update. Offered in rich and sophisticated and surprising palettes, the fabrics balance well with the existing textures and some of the more graphic textiles.”

“The 2020 collection includes two new upholstery fabrics. Offered in rich and sophisticated and surprising palettes, the fabrics balance well with the existing textures and some of the more graphic textiles.” - Kvadrat

Image Credit: Raf Simons, Kvadrat.

Secondly, please can I introduce you - that’s if you are not already familiar - to the wonderful De Le Cuona. Founded and run by Bernie de Le Cuona, her namesake fabric brand has flagship stores both in London and New York, with distributors worldwide. The striking herringbone that sits top-left on the deep green board (Spitfire in Amazon colourway) is one of my most favoured finds from LDW 2020. De Le Cuona says of the latest collection:

“The Maverick collection takes de Le Cuona in unexpected colour directions appealing to a more modern lifestyle. It shows how we do colour. The beauty of an intense colour placed with naturals. Watching the relationships form between contrasting shades. An eccentric spirit lies behind the new palette, but the colourways are designed to work with our stable of classics.” - Bernie De le cuona

“Spitfire, specifically, is a distinctive herringbone in contrasting colours, inspired by flight formation. It effortlessly combines linen and chunky wool to create a weighty fluid weave with a gravelly surface. As at home in a traditional flying club as a contemporary city apartment or country house. Available in ten colours, from the restrained to the rebellious.” - bernie De Le Cuona

Image credit: Rory Robertson New Fabric Collections Shoot, SS2020, photography Alexander Edwards. Background paint Obsidian No.216 Little Greene with, clockwise from top left, Spitfire Amazon SPT6 by De Le Cuona, Argo 2 by Kvadrat Raf Simons 982, Bulldog BUL1 by De Le Cuona, Mohair Velvet Bottle by Rose Uniacke. Small paint pot Jewel Beetle No.303 Little Greene.

Thirdly, Rose Uniacke. Rose has the most wonderful store on Pimlico Road and focuses on an edited selection of both antique interior finds alongside her own lighting and furniture designs. On a recent visit to the Pimilco Road store I discovered that there’s the most wonderful little shop - tagged onto the side of the main store - which is the ‘fabric room’. Within is an enviable collection of materials and linens. One that I honed in on in particular is Mohair Velvet, featured here on the board in Bottle colourway.

I used an edit of paint for the backdrop colours here, including tones from Farrow and Ball and Little Greene. Pitch Blue No.220 on the Farrow and Ball colour cards is said to be:

“A strong blue, with a dose of black pigment. Pitch Blue takes its name from the dark sticky tar often used in roofing (…) it has an almost purple feel to it.” - Farrow and Ball

The striking Cobalt tone is Ultra Blue No.264 from Little Greene. Little Greene comment:

“This limited edition colour is hand-mixed in small batches using a single pigment: Ultramarine. Originally extracted from Lapis Lazuli by the Venetians in the 14th century, and having a value greater than gold, this pigment was, until c1520, exclusively reserved for the depiction of the robes of the Virgin Mary.” - Little Greene

For more information about the fabrics or paints please feel free to contact me and I will endevour to put you in touch with the right contacts at each company. For specific interior design and styling queries or for a quotation contact me directly on rory@roryrobertson.co.uk.

Brands featured Farrow and Ball, Little Greene, Sahco, Kvadrat Raf Simons, De Le Cuona, Rose Uniacke.

Feature: Rory Robertson.

Image credit: Alexander Edwards (unless otherwise stated).