One To Watch: Lorna Syson
It’s that time of the week to introduce to you yet another extremely talented designer. She’s inspiring, enthusiastic, eco friendly and an absolute delight, her name is Lorna Syson. Lorna produces beautiful hand-made sculptural textiles for the home and as fashion accessories. I have to say I just absolutely adore her wall flower collection.
I am very excited to have Lorna here today and thanks again for answering these questions!
When did you realise you had a passion for design?
I was always creative, making all the things they did on Blue Peter and Art Attack but I would say it was mainly when I came to do my GCSE’s, I found I would use art as an excuse not to revise my other subjects. I think it also helped that I had an amazing teacher, who also gave me my first lonely planet guide and got me addicted to backpacking.
Where do you inspirations come from?
My inspiration mainly comes from travelling. The first collection was inspired by a backpacking trip across Morocco. I loved looking around the old schools and mosques and seeing areas which had been left for years and nature had started to grow back over the mosaics.
The second collection is based on the British country side, I knew I wanted to work with the amazing wool and stinging nettle fabric and thought there was no where better to look for inspiration than the fabrics origins. I looked at the Hedgerows in rural areas which created the colour pallet and shapes.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I have had a very exciting last 6 months, it is hard to pin point one exact moment. I have won the Shell Live Wire Grand Idea’s Award for the eco friendly collection and I have also been given the opportunity to show my wall flowers abroad in the USA and Japan, but I think showing at 100% Design and having interior designers and press which I know and respect recognise my work as ‘Lorna Syson Textiles’ was an amazing feeling.
What do you hope to achieve in 5 years time?
In five years I plan to have a successful textiles business for interiors being recognised for my signature wall flowers in department stores such as Fenwicks and Liberties.
I would love to able to employ a small team to help with making in the studio. It is important to me that as my business grows I keep the same ethics which the company was formed with such as sustainable fabrics wherever possible and all items being made in the UK.
It is important that good design is not compromised by sustainability
What famous artists/designers do you admire or inspires you the most?
There are many designers which I look up to but I think for me the most inspirational point was when I was lucky enough to meet Sir Terrance Conran when I showed my work at ICFF in New York. He is a sponsor of UKTI and they arranged a Breakfast meeting for all the designers associated with UKTI at Saks fifth avenue. He started off doing a degree in Textiles.
What five words best describe you ?
Determined, creative, sociable, reliable and optimistic
What 5 things couldn’t you live with out?
Friends and family has to be number one, Iphone, Apple Mac, roast potatoes, Spell Check!
Thank you Lorna for such a lovely interview and a chance in getting to know what a talented and ambitious young lady that you are! I see a bright future for this girl.
PS. There is still time to win the framed flower from the lady in question (fourth Image) over at Dear Designers Blog so hurry it ends tomorrow!
Will @ Bright.Bazaar
24th November 2010 at 12:44 pmI've been following Lorna's fab journey for a while now and I'm so pleased to see her having such a success; it's well deserved.
Thanks for posting this fab interview, A! xo
Carole
24th November 2010 at 4:52 pmGreat post Ari. Lorna so deserves to be recognised. I think she is going to realise her five year plan easily.
Oh and thanks for the mention but you can't bribe me! x