Venus Memphis, Paisley Gods Silk Pocket Square

I have been inspired by the Paisley Pattern for some time and wanted to explore it and to make my own mark on it. Paisley print is all about the abundance of nature. But I wanted to place the human form into the pattern, as I wanted to refute the idea that mankind is somehow separate from nature. We are all part of the rich tapestry of life, for better of for worse.

Initially, to represent the human I chose classical and neoclassical sculptures – ranging from Michelangelo’s David and The Diskobolos of Myron to the Hellenistic Crouching Venus and the Venus de Milo. I realised that these artworks have come to symbolise physical perfection in the Western World. This sparked a whole new train of thought about how the 'body beautiful' is represented in art, and how what we consider desirable has changed over time.

To respond to this idea of different kinds of beauty, I brought some early human sculptures into the print in the form of the Venus of Willendorf and an unnamed Chalcolithic male figurine I stumbled upon in an unpopular room at the Louvre.

I researched the Paisley aspects of this collection in the Print Study Room at the V&A. They kindly curated five boxes of sketches, original artworks and plans, for which I am eternally grateful. 

I also incorporated anachronistic gothic foliage to create this unique, culture-clashing print.

To bring a modern and graphic touch I contrasted the intricate hand drawn foreground with a bold graphic zig zag and houndstooth pattern in the background. 

The result is a mesmeric tracery that seems to float in space. The human figures blend into nature harmoniously and the colours push print to the max. These are more than just accessories… they really are conversation-starters.

Introducing Paisley Gods, the culture-clashing collection that features the Paisley Pattern with a Furious Goose twist. This originally Kasmiri and Persian style of pattern symbolises the abundance of nature, typically through swirling leaf and flower shapes. We’ve added a unique touch by incorporating the human figure to the boteh (leaf) motif. The prints are all designed in our London studio and ethically made by artisans across Britain.

Here the background (or ground as it's know in Painting) is bright and luminous with the foliage and foreground in darker colours. This dazzles the eye and lifts the foliage and boteh leaf motifs off the silk. The colours are bright, effervescent and fresh. Perfect for spring or summer fun!