Lucienne Day’s Vintage Post War Fabrics Return

I was thrilled to see that The Centre for Advanced Textiles (an adjunct of The Glasgow School of Art) has reproduced fabrics from three of Scotland’s most iconic fabric designers from the post-war era. Allow me to reintroduce…

Lucienne Day

Calyx

Larch

Lucienne set up a design practice in 1948 in collaboration with her husband the furniture designer Robin Day. She established a worldwide reputation with her “Calyx” fabric design, which won, among other awards, a gold medal at the Milan Triennale of 1951.

Trio

Her work perfectly characterized the stylistic exuberance of the 1950’s and demonstrated that good design and mass production could be both compatible and successful.

Robert Stewart

Macrahanish

This Scottish designer and artist became one of the most significant figures in the field of surface design. He taught at The Glasgow School of Art for 35 years. He also produced paintings, enamels, and ceramics. But it was his fabrics that have been most influential, particularly those produced by Liberty and Pringle.

Kilmun

Raimult

Sun Man

Sylvia Chalmers

Penang

Sylvia studied at The Glasgow School of Art and moved to London in 1951 with only $10 in her pocket. She worked at Storey’s, selling furniture and fabrics. She then began designing her own fabrics and murals for Elizabeth Eaton. In 1955 she founded Tuar Fabrics. 1976 Chalmers moved back to Scotland, purchased Blacknest House in Thornhill, and converted the out-buildings into a design and production complex.

Uno

Fruit

These fabrics (I‚Äôve shown only a few) are available for sale at $124 per meter. Samples are available for $8.20, which will be deducted from your order. At Lucienne’s request, Calyx is only available in one meter pieces. I hope she changes her mind.

I also hope she adds “Leaf” (above) to the collection. It’s my favorite.

Are you into vintage textiles? I think these are really timeless. How about you?