TEA AND A CHAT
“Passementerie is like bubble bath – it makes life much more joyful.”
After my first day working for Wendy Cushing, who trained me in the art of passementerie weaving, I wrote: “This isand that the result is a textile in its entirety, made from just a group of threads. I also love that I’m part of a historical tradition that goes back to the 15th century. If I woke up in Tudor times I could go out and get a job, as the techniques I use haven’t changed much since then. When I set my business up in 2008, after many years freelancing, I knew there was a gap in the market for bold, colourful and contemporary trims. and make it something relevant and desirable again. I advocate using trims as central features in a room, not afterthoughts or just edgings, but they can also be a fun way to freshen up your home. I put a great deal of thought into my colour combinations and materials, especially using unusual materials like horsehair or paper. I have an idea of what the feel of any collection will look like, but I design straight from my head onto the loom so I’m blessed to have worked with an incredible array of clients from Vivienne Westwood, Burberry and Giles Deacon to the Queen, weaving the balcony fringe for Buckingham Palace – my latest project is a collaboration with interior designer Lucy Barlow of Barlow and Barlow. I think passementerie is like luxury bubble bath – you don’t need it, but it makes life so much more joyful.
