Today we chat to textile designer and maker Sarah Ford. Sarah’s fab collection includes handmade wedding gifts and designer cushions.
SM: How did you start you business and what led you to this career path?
SF: After completing my degree in 2008, I was determined to avoid the humdrum & follow my passion for textiles. Through local funding, support & networking I was able to form my own business.
SM: Who and/or what inspires your designs?
SF: My main inspirations come from Haute Couture design, I just love the exuberant embellishments & luxurious fabrics used. Florals are a huge influence on my work as well as jewellery & symmetric patterns.
SM: How do you go about coming up with new designs?
SF: I start by setting a project for myself, I set a brief & follow it through the whole project. I then adapt my designs to my different collections.
SM: Describe your working environment, what surrounds you, how do you work?
SF: I work from my studio at home, it’s a peaceful environment filled with all my favourite fabrics, threads, beads & crystals all obsessively colour coded of course!
SM: What would be your perfect home? Where would it be and what would you put in it?
SF: My perfect home would be somewhere in the country side where from my studio window I could look out & admire the endless views. I would like my home to be filled with anything creative & handmade, I love anything with texture, vibrant colours & intricate detail.
SM: What is your favourite product from your collection?
SF: My favourite product from my collection is my wedding ring cushion, I love the thought that someone will be using it on their special day.
SM: Putting you on the spot, what is your favourite Swanky Maison product, other than from your collection and why?
SF: Everything is so lovely but I love Maggie Williams Glass Hanging Vases, they are so unique. I love the vibrant colours & also the fact that they are all individual makes them truly extra special.
SM: Finally, what do you have in store for us in the future, are you working on any news designs/products our readers might be interested in?
SF: I am currently working on lots of new designs for both my wedding & homeware collections, I will be soon introducing my giftware collection to Swanky Maison which will contain purses & photo albums.
A recent achievement which I am very thrilled about is my craft&design Selected silver award. I will be featuring in the November/December addition of the magazine which is available in October.