In our latest Swanky Seller Spotlight we catch up with Lorraine McCue, textile designer and creator of La La Loop knitted accessories. The fresh and funky La La Loop collection includes designer cushions and handcrafted hot water bottle covers.
SM: How did you start you business and what led you to this career path?
LLL: I studied Textile and Fashion design at university and it wasn’t until my final year that I really started to get into knitted textiles. I felt that there was so much more that I could learn so I decided to do a Masters Degree in Knitted Textile Design. At my degree show and at New Designers in London I sold my work and had so much enquiries that I thought ‘hey … I could actually do this as a business’.
I had also worked for a few knitwear companies and was a bit fed up with the old fashioned view that most people had of knitted items. I really wanted to experiment with texture, colour and fabric manipulation to create vibrant designs with an element of fun. And this turned into La La Loop.
SM: Who and/or what inspires your designs?
LLL: My main inspiration is taken from natural form and structure. This could be anything from the patterns on tree bark to ripples in the sand. Anything with interesting surface texture and pattern and clever use of colour. I also love the work of Yayoi Kusama who is a Japanese artist. I think what she does is very inspiring and I respect her creative madness!
SM: How do you go about coming up with new designs?
LLL: I am not really one for sitting with a sketchbook, chewing on my pencil and trying to think up new designs on the spot. It all mostly happens while I am sitting at my knitting machine. I could be in the middle of knitting something and then start thinking of variations on that design. Then before I know it my mind is buzzing with loads of different ideas. I have to then stop and sketch them down before I forget! I also like to look at my scrapbooks and photos of different textures and to create moodboards for inspiration.
SM: Describe your working environment, what surrounds you, how do you work?
LLL: I work from my little studio at home with my budgie chirping and singing away in the background!
I have my ‘design corner’ which is home to my workbench, knitting and sewing machine and colourful rows of wool. I like to surround myself with little snippets of inspiration so the wall area is covered with fabric swatches, colour cards, postcards, illustrations, photos and magazine cuttings.
I have to discipline myself as it is so easy to get distracted when working from home! I start most days with coffee and emails, check for orders, then settle down at my kniting machine for a few hours with some music on. Most of my products need a lot of hand work and embroidery after coming off the machine so I also spend a lot of time hunched over on the sofa, stitching away.
SM: What would be your perfect home? Where would it be and what would you put in it?
LLL: My perfect home would be in an old Victorian building, with high ceilings, huge windows and lots of traditional features. I would have a lovely big garden full of flowers and trees and maybe a pond and an aviary. I love open space, light and air and I would decorate the whole place with a quirky vintage theme throughout. I would definitely get quite a few polka dotted items in there and buy handmade. I would convert one room into a big design studio and continue to work from home. Ideally I would like it to be near the sea, failing that, a nice leafy area in Glasgow’s West End would do.
SM: What is your favourite product from your collection?
LLL: Can I pick two? I like my Polka Dotty Cushion as it is so soft and comfy, and I like cuddling cushions while sitting watching the telly. And I also like my Hearts Hot Water Bottle with the little pom pom’s.
SM: Putting you on the spot, what is your favourite Swanky Maison product, other than from your collection and why?
LLL: I would be the Cherry Spotty Doorstop by Charlotte Macey. Because I love red and I am obsessed a bit with polka dots.
SM: Finally, what do you have in store for us in the future, are you working on any new designs/products our readers might be interested in?
LLL: I am currently working on a collection of knitted pom pom necklaces which will be ready end of June. After that, there will be a new homeware collection for Autumn / Winter including new cushions, blankets, lavender treats and more!