Art Prints on Luxury Fabrics
Background
Fabric print design has been a lifelong passion of mine. For my Sixth Form art portfolio, I created three metres of hand-painted fabric based on an abstract bamboo pattern. Later, during my Art and Design Foundation Studies, I hand-painted an abstracted fish pattern on silk fabric as part of my final year project.
Projects
Alongside various design work for an Auckland-based fashion client, I have been creating fabric print designs for them each season. The briefs are usually aligned with the current fashion collection in development. Sometimes, the guidelines are precise, giving me a clear vision of what to achieve. Other times, they are more open-ended, allowing me greater creative freedom.
Process
Depending on the brief and the availability of high-resolution media, I employ different techniques. One approach is to hand-paint the artwork or its elements on paper, then photograph and digitally edit them to create a seamless repeat. Another method involves sourcing high-quality elements from a content library and assembling the design digitally. In some cases, I combine both techniques. Most of the fabric prints I design are full-width repeats, typically ranging from 140 to 170 cm, printed on silk fabric.
Unique Crossover with Art
Fabric print design is particularly special to me because it seamlessly integrates my 30+ years of experience as a working artist and painter. I find it incredibly rewarding to tackle the design challenges and then see the results, including the skill of the fashion designers in the workroom as they carefully cut the fabric without losing the essence of the print.
Challenges
Creating large-scale fabric prints comes with many challenges. The file sizes can be enormous, requiring robust hardware and software setups. Maintaining the right texture scale is crucial—if I paint elements at a reduced scale I must ensure the texture translates well when enlarged. Printing flat colours on silk can be problematic often resulting in irregularities, so adding enough texture is essential for a workable print.
Another challenge is creating seamless repeats. Some designs don’t work as standard block repeats, requiring mirror repeats instead. However, mirrored designs can unintentionally create new shapes at the meeting points, sometimes disrupting the original composition. Resolving these issues requires careful adjustments.
Outcomes
It’s incredibly inspiring to see the artwork printed on fine fabrics and transformed into high-quality garments. These limited-edition pieces sell well, offering customers something truly unique.
Conclusion
I hope that fabric prints remain a staple in the fashion world, rather than falling in and out of style as they have over the years. With each new season, I eagerly anticipate fresh briefs and the opportunity to create new designs.
