mother of pearl
As creative director of Mother of Pearl, Amy Powney has married Dutch-style florals with a hint of granny-chic to catwalk acclaim. She tells us about her new digitally printed, pattern-smothered homeware line
HOW DID your CAREER in FASHION Begin? i began at mother of pearl fresh after graduating 12 years ago, beginning as a studio assistant and progressing to a partner and creative director. before this, i inter ned at giles deacon just as he was becoming a big name. it was an incredible experience and taught me huge amounts.
HOW WOULD you DESCRIBE THE MOTHER OF PEARL AESTHETIC? it’ s a real balance of playful and serious. the brand philosophy is serious quality and ethics balanced with playful visuals and tone of voice. my designs feature masculine silhouettes with feminine detailing, using juxtaposing references like the work of socialist photographer nick waplingt on and royal tudor dresses. the key to the clothing is that it appeals to our different e mo tions; i have days when i want to hide under a giant hoo die but also days when if eel more adventurous.
HOW DID THE interiors COLLECTION COME ABOUT? i’ m always inspired by maxim a list wallpapers, upholstery fabrics and curtains, sow he ni started to renovate my house, i couldn’ t resist am other of pearl interior range. who wouldn’ t want to match their outfit with their cushions?
DESCRIBE THE look OF your HOME. it has a minimal back drop of ebony flooring and white walls,
giving me a blank canvas to lift with lots of plant life and scatter with coloured flora ls,
prints and hints of dark green including far row& ball’ s studio green. it’s a victorian house but i’ m obsessed with georgian proportions so i’ ve cheated with tall, double georgian style doors into my living room.
WHERE DOES THE inspiration FOR your Prints COME FROM? it usually comes from old dutch flora ls or old paintings like
Hieronym us bosch’ s the garden of Earthly delights.
WHAT ARE you Working On next? Sustainability is my major passion. we have just launched no frills, a core collection of everyday pieces made with a low-carbon foot print and using organic materials, as well as a sustainable capsule collection of evening wear.