MUSE
Lucienne Day
Lucienne Day is perhaps one the most celebrated British textile designers of the 20th century, together with her husband Robin Day they became the go to contemporary designers of the 1950s and 1960s. She most famously worked with Heals. Her first design for them ‘Calyx’ was considered at the time a real jump into the unconventional, a true leap away from the more floral designs that people were accustomed to. Heals felt that they were taking an enormous risk by producing it, however it became one of their best sellers and to this day is still sold around the world.
I have always found Day’s designs appealing and inspiring. I became aware of her on my degree course where we studied her in depth and learnt amongst other things that she was an expert in the repeating pattern, a must have skill for any would be textile designer. I like the fact that one can almost feel the worlds of both Jean Miro and Paul Klee creeping through her designs, both artists whom I admire greatly. Her use of collage and layers give a sense of depth and movement which on furnishing fabrics in my mind is a must as one is usually covering a large area. Not of course forgetting her lovely use of tonal colour which has become synonymous with the era.
- Heti Gervis
