WHAT? PAINT! PATTERN! PRINT! The Textiles of Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell

WHERE? Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF

WHEN? Now until 13th September

WHY GO? To feel the love. The sisters, Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell, were innovative right from the Sixties when they exploded onto the fashion scene, revolutionising textile design. Collier Campbell’s colourful abstract designs like Bauhaus and Quickstep stood in solidarity against the ditsy designs that prevailed at the time.

Liberty commissioned them, and Yves Saint Laurent collaborated with them. Habitat featured their home furnishing designs and fashion brands like Jaeger focused on their patterns for accessories like scarves.

The Collier Campbell skill of cheating the repeat, as they called it, translating an original pattern into a repeating pattern, became an iconic Seventies hallmark and epitomised an era.

This glorious nostalgic tribute traces their partnership through archives of imagery, fabric and fashions and includes curated room sets to set the scene.

Sadly Susan passed away in 2011 at the age of 72, but Sarah carries their aesthetic through, partnering most recently once again with Liberty, who celebrate their 150th Anniversary, licensing her original 1975 Cottage Garden design.

From the Seventies to today, ’more is more’ has always been the Collier Campbell motto, for as Sarah says, “Fabric and pattern have such a lot of emotion attached to them”, and this show is full of uplifting emotion.

IN THE KNOW Meet Sarah, who will be hosting a series of workshops in conjunction with the exhibition, and learn from the expert or delve into the Museum’s seductive gift shop with a full range of cards plus exclusive printed accessories.
Check online for the full programme.