Design inspiration from the V&A archives
Our ongoing design collaboration with the V&A, which began with the debut of our Brompton Collection in 2021, is about to enter an exciting new chapter. Following its preview at Decorex 24 in last October, the fourth edition of this creative partnership is set to launch in our showrooms in at the start of February.
This creative relationship has taken us on a journey across both continents and centuries, from the orchard and market garden origins of the museum’s Kensington site to the Coromandel coast of southeast India in the age of the Mughal emperors. Each collection draws inspiration from objects and designs in the V&A’s archives, weaving together strands of history to bring the beauty of the past into modern interiors. As we launch our latest V&A fabric designs, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the highlights of our journey so far.
The Brompton Collection: timeless designs inspired by the V&A collection
Our first collaboration with the V&A, the Brompton Collection, draws on centuries of artistry and craftsmanship, inspired by textiles and botanical illustrations from the 16th to the 19th centuries. This diverse collection features elegant ikat stripes, exotic birds, and flowing floral motifs, each design a nod to the rich heritage of the V&A’s vast archives. The designs are unified by a coherent set of colourways. Printed in Lancashire on a luxurious brushed cotton linen union, the designs in this collection create myriad opportunities to combine classic design motifs with a fresh, contemporary feel.
Key designs include Ikat, a broad stripe broken with horizontal bands based on an early 19th century furnishing fabric, mostly likely French, and Floral Scroll, a beautifully stylised arrangement of rambling flowers and leaves, based on a printed cotton from the mid-19th century from London-based furnishing company Charles Hindley and Sons. These patterns, along with others like the delicate Flowering Kale, and the Indian chintz inspired Coromandel, bring historical motifs to life in modern, easy-to-use colourways, perfect for creating characterful, timeless interiors.
Two sofa models, inspired by pieces in the V&A’s renowned furniture collection, were also introduced in the Brompton Collection. The Brunel sofa reinterprets early 19th-century drawing room elegance with a focus on modern comfort. Its classic silhouette features a high back and narrow arms, softened by a deep, inviting seat for a perfect blend of style and relaxation. And the Pugin sofa, which is available foam-free, using sustainable coconut fibre padding in the arms, brings Victorian style into contemporary homes, with a high cushioned back, softly curved sides, and elegant turned legs.
V&A Drawn from Nature: An Arts & Crafts design story
After the varied origins of the first collection, our second fabric collaboration with the V&A, brought the focus closer to home, reimagining iconic designs from the British Arts and Crafts Movement. Drawn from Nature is a heart-warming mix of flora and fauna based on late 19th century wallcoverings, textiles and illustrations from the V&A archives, including those from William Morris and two of his key associates, John Henry Dearle and Thomas Wardle.
You can read more about the original designs in more depth here. From Oak Tree, a design originally produced by Dearle as wallpaper in 1896, to Bird and Rabbit, a woodland-inspired pattern by master dyer Thomas Wardle, the collection brings the timeless beauty of nature into contemporary homes. Printed in Lancashire on a soft, brushed cotton linen union, these fabrics are as robust as they are beautiful, making them perfect for upholstery and soft furnishings that will withstand the demands of modern living. So, whether you’re looking to add a subtle touch of nature to your home or create a bold statement piece, Drawn from Nature offers a versatile range of fabrics that are sure to inspire.
Threads of India: a celebration of India’s timeless textile traditions
Inspired by the illustrious archive of South Asian textiles at the V&A Threads of India is an evocative tribute to the rich textile heritage of the Indian subcontinent. Each of the six fabric designs in this collection telling a distinct story of India’s textile legacy and global influence.
Drawing from objects as varied as opulent riding coats, intricate tent hangings, and exquisite dress fabrics, Threads of India captures the essence of these historical artefacts. Mughal Arbour, inspired by an 18th-century tent hanging featuring a flowering tree enclosed in an arch—a symbol of Mughal elegance. Regal Arabesque draws from the intricate lattice patterns of Shah Jahan’s time, while Sulawesi Splendour offers a modern interpretation of ceremonial banners from the 14th century. Each fabric is a celebration of craftsmanship, artistry, and cultural heritage, making these designs perfect for bespoke interiors that embrace the spirit of the past and the comforts of the present.
As Amelia Calver, Brand Licensing Research and Development Manager at the V&A puts it, “…the Threads of India collection…shines a light on the rich design heritage of South Asia.” This sentiment is echoed by Andrew Cussins, Founder of Sofas & Stuff, who describes the collection as “not just about furniture; it’s about storytelling, cultural heritage, and the seamless blend of past and present.”
The colours chosen for the collection reflects the varied hues of the objects that inspired them, with deep, rich tones alongside soft, natural shades offering versatility and timeless appeal for a wide range of interior schemes. The first Threads of India collection is presented on a luxurious linen-viscose blend, which means that these fabrics are not only soft to the touch but also durable enough to stand the test of time; equally lovely as scatter cushions, drapes or blinds, as they are as upholstery on a sofa, chair, footstool or bed.
A new chapter in the Threads of India story, expressed in velvet
Few destinations captivate the creative spirit quite like India, which is why we have chosen to continue our Threads of India journey with the V&A. The new collection brings another chapter to a story of Mughal grandeur, poetic expression and the delicate fusion of Persian, Indian, and Central Asian artistic traditions, adding a new visual and textural dimension.
Threads of India Opulent Velvets is now available online, where you can order fabric samples, purchase fabric by the metre, or order it across our range of made-to-order sofas, chairs, and beds. The collection is also featured in each of our 24 showrooms, with fabric books and hanging lengths to inspire your creativity.
Discover our V&A collections today
Our V&A fabric collections offer a wealth of design possibilities, ready to bring design heritage and character to your interiors. From the gentle elegance of Drawn from Nature, inspired by the patterns and motifs of the Arts and Crafts movement, to the decorative storytelling of Threads of India, each collection offers inspiring directions for your home or project. Explore the full range online or visit us in-store to discover how these exquisite designs can make a lasting impression.Our V&A fabric collections offer a wealth of design possibilities, ready to bring timeless beauty and character to your interior designs. Explore the full range online or visit us in-store to discover how these exquisite designs can make a lasting impression.
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