MARIE WALLIN

Marie Wallin is one of the most successful designers in the UK, with Fair Isle knitting being a speciality of hers. After gaining an honours degree in textiles at Leicester Polytechnic, Marie was the head of Rowan Yarn’s design team for many years. She has successfully established her own design brand, and has published a range of books with colourwork designs, including Shetland, North Sea and Wildwood.

“I love pattern and colour, and therefore I get inspired by many things,” Marie says “I am particularly influenced by any patterned art, especially Islamic, Moorish and Indian art. For example, the throw I designed for my Fairisle Club Number 5 was inspired by a visit to a 16th century palace in Seville, Spain, called Casa de Pilatos. This beautiful building was covered with amazing Moorish tile designs.”

Marie has always been a great admirer of the work of fashion designers Paul Smith and Kenzo, but also Kaffe Fassett has had an influence on her thanks to his use of pattern and colour.

“I love designing Fair Isle and patterned knitting, as I am so heavily influenced by pattern and colour in other mediums,” says

Marie. “I particularly like symmetry, and I try to make sure that visually my designs are beautifully balanced in colour so that the overall effect is easy on the eye!”

Marie finds it hard to choose favourite designs from her extensive portfolio, but she does pick out ‘Primrose’ from her brandnew Gentle collection; ‘Orkney’, a design for Rowan’s Magazine 54; and her ‘Sage’ tunic dress from her Windswept book. www.mariewallin.com