Preta Wolzak – Explorers, Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank recently discovered the work of Amsterdam based artist Preta Wolzak. We asked her to share some information about herself and her latest projects. Wolzak studied Monumental Design at the Gerrit Rietveldacademie from 1986-1991. Since then she has worked on commission in applied arts: she has made illustrations for book covers, designed and made furniture, designed exhibitions, designed interiors for private people and companies. Since 2008 she has been making jewellery under the name Fortblink, and in 2013 she opened her creative store Old Fort On Dun on Oudeschans in Amsterdam. These images are from a selection of her recent collections Ma Petit Inuite, Everybody Needs A Hero and Arctic Charade, all of which share a common theme of the sometimes negative impact humans inflict on our planet causing pollution and the devastating effects of climate change. To see more and to read about her embroidery processes and the inspiration behind her work, visit Preta’s website here.

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World of Interiors – H&M X GP & J Baker Womenswear Print Collaboration

By On · In Print + Pattern

Patternbank are loving the upcoming print collaboration of H&M with the iconic British wallpaper and textile house GP & J Baker. The new womenswear collection features cherished archival prints of GP & J Baker. Included are prints like Magnolia, which William Turner painted for G P & J Baker in 1913. The classic Oriental Bird, Blossom and Hydrangea Bird, which are mixed with strong geometric patterns such as Fretwork, an homage to the decorative inlay work of the Art Deco designer Jean Durand. Online & in store from 2 August – H&M.

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Shona Wilson – Organic Structures

By On · In Trend Forecasts

Patternbank love the work of Australian sculptor Shona Wilson so we contacted her to find out more about her craft. A contemporary Australian sculptor, Shona engages with natural found material to create both abstract and representational, 2-D assemblages and 3-D sculptures. For over 25yrs, Shona has exhibited commercially. More recently she has also been involved with exhibiting science/art collaborations and Ephemeral Art making and facilitating workshops (from preschools to adults). Shona is the creator of the One A Day Ephemeral Art Project, which has inspired people worldwide.

“How can we care for what we do not know? My ongoing engagement with Nature’s fragments and invisible realms brings me closer to understanding the world we share. The materials themselves are storehouses of knowledge and information. They act as ‘keys’, unlocking doors to memory, science, history, imagination and Spirit.The intersects between nature, science, spirit, and art are potent environments to research and play within creatively. Art making can become Ceremony.  My work is an invitation to marvel and wonder at the details within nature which I have presented predominantly through sculptural assemblages. The mirroring of the micro/macro world and its phenomenology captivates me.

See more of Shona’s ephemeral projects here.

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Dreaming in Patterns – Markus Åkesson

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank wanted to share our love for these stunning paintings by Markus Åkesson, with their dramatic scale and attention to detail in surface, pattern and texture; all things we love here at Patternbank, the almost photographic qualities seem to shift between reality and something imagined in a dream.

Markus Åkesson is a neofigurative painter on the international stage. His work has been shown in galleries and institutions in Paris, Berlin, Brussels, London, Vilnius and Stockholm. Living and working in Pukeberg in Nybro, Sweden, his home and studio are nestled in the woods where he is free to explore motives which relate man to nature and nature to the world unseen.

He is currently represented by Galerie Da-End in Paris and VIDA Museum outside of Borgholm on Öland, where his exhibition Insominia was on show.

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Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 – Print and Pattern Trend Hightlights

By On · In Catwalks, Trend Forecasts

Patternbank brings you a concise overview of the strongest print and pattern trends, seen at the recent Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 shows. We’ve selected a handful of Patternbank designs to compliment each print trend. All available to purchase now on the Patternbank Online Textile Design Studio.

Chalayan / Craig Green / Geo-mania by Sara French / Dsquared2 / Craig Green/ Abstract Geometry by Anti Greog / Les Hommes / Fragmented Chevron by Helen Cauvy Foster

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Dolce & Gabbana / Summer Holiday Ice Cream Conversational by Jennifer Edwards / Ermenegildo Zegna / Smile by Aline Pellegrini / Marcello Burlon County of Milan / Pink Pebbles by Marina Ellen Simillide / Roberto Cavalli/ Photo Passion by Ani Chanchanian

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com More →

New Designers Week 1 – Textile & Surface Pattern Graduate Highlights 2018

By On · In Inspiration, Print + Pattern

Patternbank brings you a snapshot of the strongest print designers seen at the recent  New Designers Graduate show.

The Patternbank team once again had the privilege of experiencing this years emerging talent at the New Designers Graduate show.  New Designers is the UK’s most important graduate design exhibition, full of innovation and fresh thinking. Week 1 of the graduate show focused on Textiles and surface pattern design courses and was the ultimate event to spot the next wave of creative talent to hit the industry. New Designers Week 2 is showing until this Sunday if you are in London.

Louise Towers – @louisetowers_design_

Leeds Art University

Emily james – @emilyrjamesdesigns

UWTSD: Swansea College of Art

Hannah McCloskey – @hannahclairedesign

Leeds Art University

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Rana Balca Ülker – Portraiture in Embroidery

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank are excited to share with you the work of embroidery artist Rana Balca Ülker. Living in Istanbul, Turkey, Rana graduated from the Fine Arts faculty of Fashion and Textiles at Yeditepe University.
Rana’s interest in fashion and embroidered textiles has continued throughout her work, combining her paintings into embroidered portraits that look deep into the expressions and feelings we portray to others. Rana likes to combine floral and foliage within powerful portraits, sometimes protecting the subject from view.

Other pieces are dissected features of eyes and some elements within the subjects are left blank, leaving the viewer wondering the feelings and emotions of the model. Follow her on Instagram for updates of her work and coming exhibitions of her work here.

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Resort 2019 – Print and Pattern Hightlights – Part 2

By On · In Catwalks

Patternbank bring you the final overview of the strongest print and pattern trends seen at the recent Resort 2019 collections alongside some of our designs from the Patternbank Online Textile Design Studio.

Ports 1961 / Stripe by Luna Print / Phillip Lim / Diane Von Furstenberg / Preen Line / Lela Rose / Deckchair Stripe by Debra Scrivener / Gabriela Hearst

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Etro / Prabal Gurung / Watercolor Paisleys by Dorottya Szabó / Roberto Cavalli / Ma_768 by Merve Aruta / Christian Dior / Ronda by Imagine Studio / Etro

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Anna Sui / 602 Botanical Garden Print by Anna Martinez Snape / Warm / Valentino / Warm / Claudia Li / Botanical Flowers Colourful Pattern by Gülsen Günel / Alice Olivia

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Lion Scroll Design by Kathleen Ney / Oscar De La Renta / Christian Dior / No 21 / Christian Dior / Toile De Jour by Sofia Perina-Miller / Johanna Ortiz / Johanna Ortiz

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Gucci / 2k16010 by VS Fashion Studio / Batsheva / Chloe / Brock Collection / Apiece Apart / Flowers With Effect by Eduardo Doreni / Erdem

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Versace / Ornate Baroque Scarf White by Sarah Jane Woodward / Versus Versace / Gucci / Majestic Baroque Chain Scarf Print by Melissa Cook / Rodebjer / Gucci / MSGM

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Aged Squares by Michelle Tozzi / Fendi / Hellessy / Louis Vuitton / Gabriela Hearst / Prada / Bottega Veneta / Classic Borders by Alexandra Khrobostova

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

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London Graduate Fashion Week 2018 – Print & Pattern Highlights

By On · In Catwalks, Print + Pattern

The Patternbank team recently attended Graduate Fashion Week in London’s East End. GFW 2018 is the world’s leading event celebrating the creativity of students and graduates within fashion. We’ve highlighted some of the strongest print & pattern focused collections from the four-day event.

Emily Forshaw – Liverpool John Moores University

Instagram – @emilyforshawdesign

Connor McCann – Bath Spa University

Instagram – @thejupiterdrive

Zang Wei – University of Northampton

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Resort 2019 – Print and Pattern Hightlights – Part 1

By On · In Catwalks

Patternbank bring you the strongest print and pattern trends seen at the recent Resort 2019 collections alongside some of our designs from the Patternbank Online Textile Design Studio. The collections were a mix of bright vibrant pattern, with bold stand out tropicals and a new fun take on hand painted florals. Watch out for part 2 of our print trend analysis next week.

Versace / Animal Grunge Texture Mix Active by ahmetsenel / MSGM / Versus Versace / Flat Floral Collage by Josephine Waltz / Temperley London / Blue & Orange Abstract Tropical Camo by Steve Saw / Issey Miyake

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Issey Miyake / Painted Folk Floral Grannas Rose Garden by Amanda Laing / Etro / Badgley Mischka / Sketched Tropics by Mandarin Frog / Etro / Gucci / Gucci

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Agnona / Pale Garden by Sabina Gasanova / Dennis Basso / Marissa Webb / Illusion Flower by Tim Lee / Alejandra Alonso Rojas / Painted Summer Florals by Shveta Maini / Red Valentino

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Missoni / Pinky Leopard by Debra Scrivener / Roberto Cavalli / Snake Skin by MKDesigns / Roberto Cavalli / Just Cavalli / Animal Skin Graphic Pattern by Ozge Basaran Duran / Alice Olivia

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

638 Tropical Vibes by Anna Martinez Snape / Phillip Lim / Emilio Pucci / Diane Von Furstenberg / Gucci / Golden Tropics by Yuliya Shora / Givenchy / Emporio Armani

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

Balmain / Photographic Palm Tree Placement Print by Elvira Vredenburgh / Black & White Palm Trees by Cathrin Gressieker / Tomas Maier / Altuzarra / Chanel / Tomas Maier / Altuzarra

Designs available to buy on The Patternbank Studio, Catwalk images via Vogue.com

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Natalia Black – Synthetic Landscapes

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank fell in love with the colourful abstract paintings of Natalia Black, who lives and works in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Liverpool, England. Natalia gained a Degree in Fine Arts from the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia and later moved to Northern Ireland where she developed and established her career as an artist.

Many of her paintings are on canvas and wood but in recent years she has started experimenting with new technologies and has made a series of digital abstract paintings on metal. These beautiful intricate pieces are created by transforming the qualities of natural landscapes into their synthetic non-figurative versions.

Talking about her art, she comments: “Painting helps me to look beyond the obvious, it also urges me to:…. don’t stop playing, don’t stop learning, don’t stop looking, find that inner child … it let’s me have fun on my own. I also find it’s a nice way to make friends.”

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Illustrated Runway – Chris Gambrell

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank are loving the loosely sketched artworks of Bristol-based illustrator Chris Gambrell. These beautifully stylised brushstrokes and unfinished pieces have a subtle but bold visual aesthetic that draws you in.

We asked Chris about his work & process, ‘Through illustration, I explore form and colour. I worked as a sculptor using stone as a medium which I think remains a huge influence for me when making images. My need to carve form and movement out of the page is still very present. This links closely to fashion and in particular the work of Commes Des Garcon and the sculptural forms created in haute couture. The palettes and textures created in fashion provide constant challenge and interest for me as an illustrator.’

‘My working process is and has always been working out of a sketchbook. Every idea is born within the pages of its blank spreads. I’m a keen observer of life around me and constantly sketch in crowds in cities and parks. My work is about play, and I am happy to be surprised by the results of using ink, stamps, paint and anything else I can lay my hands on.’

Check out more of Chris’s stunning work on his Instagram.

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House of Hackney X & Other Stories Collaboration – Deluxe Floral Pattern

By On · In Featured, Print + Pattern

& Other Stories has recently launched a new pattern heavy collaborative collection with House of Hackney, featuring a range of ready-to-wear items and accessories.  Influenced by works of Virginia Woolf and artists from the Bloomsbury Group, this collection celebrates nature through print & pattern. The collection also takes themed inspiration through the zodiac so you can shop via your star sign! Check out the collection at & Other Stories here.

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Orla Kiely: A Life in Pattern – New Exhibition & Interview

By On · In Featured, Inspiration, Print + Pattern

Patternbank were excited to explore Orla Kiely’s iconic print archive last week, at the first ever exhibition of her work, products, and patterns. Orla Kiely is one of the UK and Ireland’s most successful designers. Her stylized graphic patterns are innovative, influential and instantly recognisable. With a global audience in thrall to the rhythms and repeats of her designs, this exhibition explores the power of decoration to transform the way we feel. The Exhibition opens from the 25th May – 23rd Sept at London’s Fashion and Textile Museum. The Patternbank team were lucky enough to walk the show with Orla, and ask some questions at the launch event last Wednesday.

In your opinion what makes a timeless textile pattern?

I think something that is well designed, there are lots of different styles and lots of different textiles that are timeless classics in their own right. It’s about the quality of the design work. Also the consideration of colour and not overworking the design.

Your designs take inspiration from the 50s & 60s, as well as Scandinavian modern design. What draws you to this era and design aesthetic?

I grew up in those times (the 60s & 70s) and when you’re a child you are absorbing. Things become comforting or familiar. My family had funny interior quirks. Lots of people say that my designs are comforting and remind them of their childhood. 

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Tiffany Bozic – Poetic Scientific Illustration

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank recently discovered the beautiful work of artist Tiffany Bozic and were interested to find out more about her work. Tiffany is a painter from Marin, California and has spent the majority of her life living with and observing the intricacies of nature. Her work on first glance is of detailed nature scenes but on closer inspection surreal metaphorical elements can be found, presenting a vision of life’s struggles and triumphs that are largely autobiographical. The subjects she paints are inspired both from extensive travels to wild places, and the research specimens at the California Academy of Sciences in San Franscisco. Over the years, Bozic has developed a complex process of masking and staining so the natural grain can collaborate with each composition using multiple layers of watered down acrylic paint on maple panels of wood. Check out her instagram here for updates on new work.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you work?

I travel to remote corners of the world, often with teams of scientists, then return to my studio to create detailed acrylic paintings on maple panels. I also host the Unlocked Art Lab at the CA Academy of Sciences. I have been showing in NYC for the past 10 years, but for this next chapter I’m switching gears to show on the west coast for a number of group shows this summer. I currently have a series of new paintings exploring the five elements of nature celebrating native PNW plants and animals, at Talon Gallery in Portland, OR. We are also publishing another monograph of my paintings this year with Gingko Press.

What creatively inspires you?

I try to spend as much time as I can outdoors, travel, my relationships to myself and those I cherish.  In other words, I’m inspired by love & curiosity.

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PATTERNBANK SPRING SALE » 20% OFF SITEWIDE » USE CODE: SPRING2018

By On · In Inspiration, Print + Pattern

Our 3 day Spring Sale is live with a 20% saving on everything on our site which includes all Designs and Trend Reports. This includes all Stock Designs and Premium Designs so if you’ve been thinking of purchasing prints for your up and coming collection or buying a report for inspiration then now is the time to buy. The offer runs for 3 days only, from 21 May to 23 May 2018 – just enter the code SPRING2018 at checkout to receive 20% OFF.

HEAD OVER TO PATTERNBANK > USE DISCOUNT CODE: SPRING2018

Featured Design: Floral Seamless Pattern by Tatyana Anisimova

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Fashioned from Nature – V&A Exhibition London

By On · In Inspiration

The Patternbank team were at the preview day of the Victoria & Albert’s new exhibition Fashioned from Nature last week. A great new exhibition that looks at how nature has influenced fashion design, textiles, manufacturing and pattern, throughout the last 400 years. Set over 2 floors, the first floor looks back in history and explores the evolution of how nature has impacted fashion. The upper floor is more of a present-day look at how new designers have used nature in the design process. It also showcases the environmental aspects of how designers now are looking at sustainability within fashion. We also picked up the book that accompanies the exhibition which is also worth a purchase here.

William Kilburn(1745-1818)

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Sasha Ignatiadou – Intricate Illustrated Serendipity

By On · In Featured, Inspiration

Patternbank are loving the intricate illustrations of Russian artist Sasha Ignatiadou. Now Based in Germany, Sasha draws with a variety of techniques which include acrylic, watercolour, oils and digital art. Sasha explained ‘I choose simple subjects that I fill with complex ornaments and colour combinations.  The theme of Japan and Asia, in general, is very close to me, I like to combine all kinds of ornaments together and to bring to the illustration the echoes of the modern world of Fashion and trends. I am very inspired by the very process of creating an illustration and of course, by the world around me. You have to improve yourself all the time, to become better in each following illustration, but above all, you have to be able to see the beauty of the world.’
See more of her work on her Instagram. 

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Kasasagi – Nature Inspired Sculpture by Kate Kato

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank love the intricate work of artist and collector Kate Kato, we got in touch to discover more about her work process and what inspires her to create these beautiful paper and fabric sculptures. Kate lives in the Welsh boarders just outside the small town of Ross on Wye, where her natural environment inspires her daily.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you work?

Using recycled paper, fabric and wire I try to capture the delicate detail and beauty of nature. Influenced by plants, insects and found objects, I create intricate, life-sized sculptures and arrange them into collections and dioramas. I have always been fascinated by the natural world and for me my work is very nostalgic, taking me back to my childhood and the curiosity that fuelled my creativity. My work aims to encourage curiosity and promote an awareness of the environment. I want to bring the small, hidden and overlooked details into the public eye and encourage people to consider their importance.

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Hillary Waters Fayle – Nature Re-designed

By On · In Inspiration

Patternbank discovered the beautifully delicate and intricately stitched and cut work of Hillary Waters Fayle. We put a few questions to the artist to find out more about her and what inspires her work.
Can you give us a brief introduction about yourself?
I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY USA and I now live in Richmond VA, where I spend time making my own work, in addition to working as an artist assistant, and teaching part-time at Virginia Commonwealth University. I’m a fairly quiet person, and I dislike being the center of attention. It’s really important to me to be the best person I can be for the people and the world around me. I feel the best when I’m being really productive and I’m getting lots done and I’m able to be mentally present and engaged. I love to make lists, run, cook, spend time with people I love, and I love to read -although I don’t read as much as I’d like to. I also love to be outside, especially in the summer- the heat in Virginia is one of my favorite things about living here.

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