Now on display at 313 Design Market as part of the DesignTO Festival
This year’s DesignTO Festival marks the debut of our latest collection—an exploration of traditional kilim weaving inspired by fish scales. While at the Whitney Museum in NYC a few years ago I came across an ink print by Ruth Asawa. She had received a fish from a local market, rolled ink onto its body, and pressed it onto paper to create a black-and-white print. The result was simple and beautiful.
It got me thinking about the intricate scale pattern and how it could translate into woven textiles. After a long gestation period of the graphic design and a few experiments with my partners in Northern India, I arrived at this collection of floor pillows and runners that reflects the quirky elegance of fish. The yarns—a multi-coloured fiber dying technique —create depth and texture, much like the way light shifts across fish scales. To me, fish can be both silly and beautiful, and I hope this collection captures that contradiction.
The Exhibit
You can check out the collection at 313 Design Market, a gem of a space that curates some of the best in contemporary design. For this installation, we leaned into bold colors and playful forms that invite you to see textiles full of personality.
The DesignTO Festival provides the perfect stage for this debut. As Canada’s largest design festival, celebrating creativity throughout the city, and we’re fortunate to be part of it.
The Launch Night
The collection’s launch was an intimate evening bringing together a close-knit group of friends, collaborators, fellow designers, and design enthusiasts. Guests enjoyed cider from Cidre Intrus and delicious food from La Spesa. A big thank you to Mark, Chris, and Nicole at 313 Design Market for hosting such a great night.
Hughey exceeded expectations with an outfit perfectly on theme.
Hot and heavy at the party
Come See It for Yourself
The installation is open until January 31, 2025, at 313 Design Market, where you can find our products year-round. Come by and check it out!
.. or take me to the fish NOW!
1 comment
Wow! I am amazed at the beautiful FISH collection, so lovely, the design of the scales is just perfect! And, your back story about the artist who inked an actual fish to print on paper is true inspiration. Thank you for designing these beautiful wool rugs.