Kerri, of Francis + Louise, is no stranger to textile design having worked with HUGE fashion labels that you know and love. Our new scarf isn't just an accessory but a testament to courage and creativity, drawing inspiration from unshackled movement and a changing night sky. Named "No Shrinking Violet", wear it as a reminder to tackle each day fearlessly and feel your inner radiance. We can't wait to see you wrapped up in those gorgeous blue, purple and amber hues.
Em x
Tell us a bit about yourself and the origins of Francis + Louise.
Francis + Louise turns 6 years old this year and before that I was a print designer for the fashion industry. For over fifteen years I had the pleasure of seeing my patterns featured on clothes for brands including Filippa K, Calvin Klein, Tiger of Sweden, Duchamp, Jones NY, BCBG Max Azria, DKNY and Anthropologie, so I really got to experience what it means to design bespoke, stunning and memorable patterns on an international stage.
One of my most exciting projects was when I worked for H&M as a print designer in Stockholm. I designed all the prints for the H&M x Kylie Minogue collaboration. I will never forget watching Kylie opening the Shanghai store with an amazing performance featuring hundreds of performers, all wearing my prints. You can watch the performance on my Instagram channel here.
I now have the pleasure of designing and making thousands of personal accessories a year for my own brand, born out of an obsession with print, colour and pattern and their unique ability to express a mood or feeling. My passion for print and colour is at the forefront of my collections, with each piece playfully imagined with a sophisticated edge.
What is the first art piece you can ever remember making?
I have always had a pencil or a paintbrush in my hand, even as a child, but the first piece of ‘art’ I made is probably some homework set by my art teacher at school. I had to create a collage of an everyday item from home using a collage of photos ripped out of magazines and I took inspiration from a blue metallic soda syphon. I used tiny fragments of magazine images to create this ombre effect of the blue metallic metal and I remember my teacher being absolutely blown away by what I had made. It gave me a lot of confidence in my ability to be creative.
You said you wanted this design “to bring joy and express strength and personality.” And you NAILED it! It feels soothing and calming while also holding a boldness and strength which clearly resonated with our Bravery community! The scarf features the most beautiful array of blues, purples, and indigos that are reminiscent of a changing night sky. From where did you draw inspiration for your design?
The design came out of an instinctive need to just be creative. I had to create; my body needed me to move, to expel energy through the movement of my arms as the paintbrush worked across the page. The colour combinations are my absolute favourites to work with and I wanted to bring in that link to a night-sky palette. I always think it is uplifting to look up at the night sky and see the subtle shifts of iridescent colour and I find it very calming. I thought the soothing nature of the blues, purples and indigos combined with the bold artistic release which came from creating the pattern was really in keeping with your wonderful work at Bravery.
We at Bravery believe that there are tons of benefits surrounding creativity, colour and child-like play. Whether someone is an artist or not, what are your tips for delving into your artistic side?
Remember, there are no rules in being creative. There is no right or wrong answer when you paint or draw. If you have an artistic itch you need to scratch, just make a start. Don’t think about what might happen, just paint, draw or make whatever you feel like in the moment. If you get frustrated, just know that this is part of the process of connecting with your work and improving it. Working through the frustration is what helps you get to the good stuff!
What message do you have for the warriors who will be wearing your scarf?
I designed the print with the intention for the wearer to feel empowered, strong, and cared for. I truly hope that everyone in the Bravery community feels these three things at some point, and those that wear one of my prints will carry a little reminder with them to be bold, hopeful and loved.
Shop No Shrinking Violet, here!
