How it began.
Flockhart Fabrics was first started in the 1940s by my grandmother Eileen Guthrie. She sold her designs at a gallery and shop on Sloane Street called Primavera, and to friends and family. My grandfather George Kennethson, who was also an artist and sculptor, worked with her making the blocks and screens for printing and creating some of the early designs. They both believed strongly in craftsmanship and printed all of the fabrics themselves by hand.
Reviving the designs.
I loved printing with my grandmother when I was young and in 2012 I decided to bring the designs back to life, recreating them in colours that work as beautifully now as they did over 50 years ago.
I was fortunate that the journalist Jane Hill, who had previously spent time with my grandparents, was very keen to write an article on Flockhart Fabrics. The piece was published in the World of Interiors which helped to launch the first collection with enquiries coming in from all over the world!
Having grown up with the designs at home and in the homes of family and friends, it's wonderful to see the fabrics inspiring others and being appreciated and enjoyed again.
Lucy Mackenzie
To read Jane’s article which captures the Flockhart Fabrics story so well, click here.