As Creative Director and co-founding father of Designers Guild, Tricia Guild OBE comes with an unerring vision which has driven the independently-owned business for 50 years with an incredible journey from one store on Nobleman Route to an acclaimed and truly global brand obtainable in 80 regions, in addition to online.
Today she is constantly on the mind the company alongside her brother Simon Jeffreys that has been her business partner and also the company’s Leader since 1986.
The enjoyably colorful collection is both instantly recognizable and emotionally impactful while offering own-brand products for each decorative interior planning category from dinnerware to color to upholstered furniture by scents indeed, this complete ‘lifestyle’ approach was integral towards the brand’s DNA from beginning.
Collaborations with creative talents for example artist/quilt designer Kaffe Fassett, artist Lillian Delevoryas, printmaker Howard Hodgkin and ceramicist Janice Tchalenko were early and instrumental, alongside an emphasis on softly contemporary prints, in creating a unique and adventurous voice.
The in-house interior planning studio started back in 1984 now Designers Guild also works together with or represents – under license or distribution – an array of highly respected interiors brands including William Yeoward, Rob Lauren, Christian Lacroix, the Royal Collection and, most lately, John Derian for Designers Guild. Tricia has additionally authored 20 books.
A pivotal moment arrived 1993. ‘There happen to be many moments which have formed the company in different ways – one of these was going for a gamble and never doing Decorex in 1993 to complete our very own exhibition known as Indian Summer time – we required a classic warehouse around the banks from the Thames and recreated the roads of Rajasthan within,’ states Tricia. ‘It was remarkable so we were so lucky our lovely customers were as intrigued because they were supportive and arrived their droves. It had been a bet also it compensated off.’
She was awarded the Homes & Gardens Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and received her OBE in 2008. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, marked by an exhibit titled ‘Out from the Blue’ in the Fashion and Textile Museum and also the publication of her 20th book with similar title.
WHAT SPARKED YOUR LIFELONG Desire For DESIGN?
‘One of my earliest recollections is of gardening with my grandfather and searching up through clouds of lilac-coloured wisteria in the blue sky beyond. I recall being struck through the colors and in this way, I will always be trying to find that very same feeling of question within my work.’
HOW HAS Your Look AESTHETIC EVOLVED?
‘Unsurprisingly, i reside in colorful, filled with pattern and texture and contemporary.
‘Of course my style has altered and evolved through the years – I believe I’m more minimal nowadays and much more contemporary, although generate income approach the style of an area – inside a holistic, lifestyle way – hasn’t altered a little.
‘I am more attracted towards the cooler colors from the spectrum – blue and eco-friendly, white-colored and gray – and I enjoy warm these track of warmer textures or more potent accent colors. It’s usually difficult to choose patterns that chime beside me when i love so most of them. It is essential to reside in an atmosphere that represents your personality and taste.’
WHERE DO To Consider INSPIRATION WHEN DEVELOPING PRODUCT RANGES?
‘Inspiration may come from a number of sources and i’m always searching and available to it. Fashion, architecture, travels and also the landscape are vital feeders towards the creative process and inspiration can strike at any time.
‘We begin with that time of inspiration and discuss and develop our very own interpretations of the items that beginning point might be. I’m always thinking about creating something which is from the moment so although we might be searching at classical inspiration, at Designers Guild, there’ll always be a modern day interpretation from it.
‘Editing deciding on is an important factor within the development process, out of the box searching at colorways and ground cloths which may have a huge effect on the type of the design huge natural printed linen have a different feeling to, say, a chintz.
‘Every stage of development have a effect on the look and also the collection’s success – so, along with my brilliant team, we discuss and interact at each step.’
DO A Person Always Has AN INSTINCT For The Best SELLERS?
‘We are fortunate that people sell around the globe and often something will sell brilliantly in, say, South america but nowhere else! Otherwise – I’m very good at recognizing the very best sellers!’