I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Sarah Davies from Floella Interiors on her Cotswolds Radio show, 'A Colourful Life' where we explored my journey from Art and Textiles lecturer to fabric designer.
It was an amazing experience to share the evolution of my brand and how my love for mixed media art and nature-inspired designs became the foundation of my fabrics collections.
Sarah and I reflected on the transition from teaching to building my own brand and the incredible opportunities and challenges that came along with it.
One of the highlights was when Sarah talked through different pages of my sketchbook, asking about where my ideas come from and how they are developed into fabric designs. It was wonderful to reflect on how these sketches — often inspired by nature — are transformed into the sustainable linens I create.
One of the most meaningful parts of the conversation was discussing how my autoimmune conditions led me to create an archive of sketchbook designs during my recovery periods. Art became a form of therapy for me, and this personal experience and the subsequent design archive I produced has really shaped the heart of our brand.
Sustainability is incredibly important to everything we do at Juliette O Designs, and Sarah and I discussed how this value guides not only my fabric choices but also my entire design process. From re-purposing materials, printing to order to avoid waste and creating long lasting timeless pieces, sustainability is always key.
Sarah commented that my fabrics feel like pieces of art, saying that if you buy something that resonates with your colours and style, you’ll always love it and want to keep it forever. She also mentioned that what makes our fabrics resonate with her so much is the story behind them and the creative process, which only adds to their beauty.
If you missed the interview, you can still catch the replay to learn more about my journey, the role of art therapy in my work, and why sustainability is at the core of Juliette O Designs.
You can listen to the radio show here