Dear friends, today I have a very special blog post to share with you, one that I think textile lovers will find particularly interesting – an interview with textile designer and entrepreneur Lisa Fine of the eponymous textile house – Lisa Fine Textiles. As the company is launching its first Performance Collection, Lisa Fine has agreed to sit down for a quick Q&A to tell us more about the fascinating world of fabric design and her latest prints. A departure from the company’s previous work, the Performance Collection was designed entirely during the pandemic, and features patterns and color schemes inspired by beautiful places slightly closer to home – Florida and the Caribbean. You can see a glimpse of the new designs on the backdrop of Lisa Fine’s stunning book, Near & Far: Interiors I Love, in the images below. Without further ado, let’s welcome Lisa for today’s Q&A:
Welcome Lisa! We’re happy to chat with you today and are eager to find out more about your new designs. For those of us unfamiliar with the world of fabric design, could you please tell us about the process of creating a collection, from finding inspiration and a theme to the finished product?
When you enjoy traveling, it is very easy to be inspired. My first collection incorporated the patterns and colors found all over India. One of my first and most popular designs, SAMODE, was based on a single flower painted on the walls of the Samode Palace outside Jaipur. Los Angeles artist and designer, Lisa Miller, worked with me to develop a repeat pattern and create a textile.
How do you go about creating a theme for a collection, and that first pattern?
Any theme has always evolved organically. I tend to be drawn to florals and paisleys, originally patterns from Persia, India, and Turkey.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I find inspiration everywhere. When I’m not traveling I often look through textile archives and books.
Do you have any tips for mixing patterns successfully?
Not everyone loves a lot of pattern and mixing. I think it is something that comes naturally and should not be forced. In fact, some of the most stylish rooms have no pattern but are studies in color.
What advice would you give to someone who’s not confident with color and pattern and wants a low-risk scheme?
Everyone has a favorite color. I would advise them to do everything in that color and hope it is a pretty color.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to start my own business.
Where does your love of textiles come from?
I’ve always loved textiles. As a little girl, I was obsessed with hair ribbons.
How did you get started in the textile industry?
I very naively went to India and worked with block printers thinking I could create and produce a collection there, but I found it too difficult to produce in India. I then met Lisa Miller and we worked together to create my first collection, which was all printed in Los Angeles.
Your textiles grace some of the most beautiful homes around the world and have been a favorite of designers and homeowners. Do you have a favorite color scheme and/or pattern from your collections?
One of my favorite color combinations is natural dyed pinks and indigos. However, there are so many beautiful color schemes. That’s what makes designing textiles so much fun.
What was the first pattern you’ve ever designed?
One of the first patterns was PANDORA, which was influenced by a Rateau mural in the Lanvin bedroom at The Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. I was determined to have a design with deer and trees, similar to the Persian garden depictions found in Persian miniatures.
Has fabric design changed over the years ? Did advancements in printing technology affect the way you produce your collections?
Digital printing is more refined, opening up many more options for large-scale designs. It is also more economical for printing multiple colors. However, I prefer and try to print as much as possible by hand screen.
How has the pandemic changed the way you conduct your business?
The pandemic allowed me more time to focus and for once find inspiration closer to home. The vibrancy of Florida and the Caribbean influenced my Performance Collection. English country and American Interiors of the 30s and 40s from classic and period movies revived my interest in romantic florals and chintz.
What were some of the challenges you faced over the last couple of years? And what, if any, silver linings have come along with these challenges?
After the first year of the pandemic, my biggest challenge was finding a new Netflix series I had not seen to watch in the evenings! The silver lining was that I slowed down, didn’t travel, and realized one can be inspired without leaving your house. I created my entire Performance Collection during Covid.
Design Icons: John Fowler and Frances Elkins
Favorite scent: usually comes from the kitchen
Favorite place to shop: India and Italy
Go-to home accessory: Books and flowers, but I actually do read the books.
Thank you, Lisa, for chatting with us today! To find out more about the new Performance Collection please visit Lisa Fine Textiles’ website here. Although the fabrics are usually available to the trade only, there are several ways to find fabric yardage and ready-made pillow covers in some of Lisa Fine’s most popular prints, including Chairish and Etsy. Below is a small selection, including Lisa Fine’s book, Near & Far: Interiors I Love, which is a personal favorite.
Have a great weekend!
