30th November - project research... 'Scarves' Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke

30th November - Project Research... 'Scarves' Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke

Scarves, Textiles Designers

'Scarves' Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke

It is unusual to find scarves created by textile designers, many of their designs have been used anonymously by major scarf manufacturers.

Raoul Dufy is a pioneer of early scarf design, a French artist inspired by the art nouveau movement. In 1912, Dufy worked exclusively for Bianchini-Ferier, a silk weaving firm. His scarves are virtually impossible to fined, except through private auction houses.

Tammis Keefe was an American designer whose scarves are easily obtainable. Trained in the 1930, most of her designs are based in the 1940s which usually depict animals or American landmarks. Many of her mass-produced patterns are still available.

Sandra Rhodes is an extremely successful British fashion and textile designer whose designs are inspired by the 1930s. Much of her work is based on sketchbooks kept whilst on her travels where a variety of motifs are collected together. Her scarves are hand screen-printed on chiffon, tulle and silk.

Althea McNish provided designs in the 1950/60s for a number of well established scarf companies such as Libertys and Jacqmar. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, McNish was one of the first black British textile designers who brought large, colourful Caribbean florals to post-war Britain. McNish was never credited by name on her scarves.