NATURAL INSTINCT
Native flora continues to inspire Utopia Goods.
Utopia Goods was established in 2012, “born out of a love of art, design, textiles and the Australian bush — our one and only muse,” says co-founder Sophie Tatlow. “The colour of the Australian landscape heavily influences our palette and many of our design decisions.” The love affair with native flora continues with the latest collection, Botanica. Sophie, what drew you and Bruce to Australian flora and fauna when you two started Utopia Goods? Given Bruce’s adaptability as an artist, illustrating flora and fauna came as a natural progression of his love of the Australian bush. I’m passionate about turning the cultural cringe into a cultural binge, and developing textiles that have a story and the ability to stand the test of time. Our influences are extensive, from Pop Art to French toile, traditional English textile design, the decorative arts, the trade goods era and historical textiles. Bruce grew up in Hamilton, Victoria. Did his childhood in country Australia influence these iconic designs? The countryside is unique and it would be impossible not to have it influence your perspective. Bruce has been drawing and painting since he was a teenager and has explored a diverse range of influences; however, he’s always returned to the idea of ‘a sense of place’. Australian plants have a very distinctive otherworldly personality and an almost Jurassic presence. Each textile print reflects Bruce’s subject of choice, born of a childhood spent roaming the wild hills of western Victoria. Tell us about the new-season Botanica textile range. Botanica has a traditional feel without being old-fashioned. It’s my favourite collection to date — I love the colour palette of musky pink, forest green and deep indigo blue. Any tips on mixing and matching patterns? The trick is to mix scale — a large, bold print with a smaller coordinate — and to have a common colour. A colour palette has to be joyful, usable, scheme-able and, above all, lovable without being too dominant. To add complexity and depth, mix fabrics from different eras and countries. Combining patterns takes time and consideration. Everyone sees colours differently and light can change everything. I’ve always loved that quote by English art critic John Ruskin: “The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love colour the most.” What textile trends are you currently seeing in the Australian market? Fortunately the ‘grey’ trend seems to be on the way out and we’re embracing more colour and print. There seems to be a greater appreciation of prints and patterns, which is wonderful. (02) 9357 4477; utopiagoods.com