African-inspired prints flooded last year’s fashion world, becoming one of the most prominent trends of 2012. Here to ensure ethnic print is to remain a permanent fixture in 2013 and beyond, is textile designer Banke Kuku.
Hailed as the queen of colour, Banke’s vibrant designs marry traditional African print with Western culture and have been much coveted by the fashion and interior industries alike.
How did you begin your career in textile design?
My career in textiles started when I first started to work with renowned London fashion designer Duro Olowu, since graduating from St Martin’s College and Chelsea College of Art and Design. It was a great experience and it was where I started to find my own identity as a designer.
Why did you choose textiles over any other form of design?
I chose textiles as I am absolutely in love with fabrics, from the construction to the surface design. It was a very easy decision for me, although I did consider fashion design, but I found myself focusing too much on the fabric manipulation instead of the cut of the garment.
Where do you seek your inspiration?
We travel extensively throughout the UK and Europe, as well as the rest of the world. Most importantly I’m inspired by culture; my designs are heavily inspired by a cultural fusion of African and western design. I originate from Nigeria and moved to the UK when I was eight years old, where I gained an understanding of Western culture.
What is the design process behind a new pattern? What materials do you use?
My new patterns are digital prints; most of my recent work has been digitally printed. I am also using cashmere blends.
Describe your home – is it as brightly coloured as your designs?
My home is filled with a lot of my work; many of my rooms are injected with an invigorating colour burst and riot of pattern. I am about to wallpaper my living room with vibrant wallpaper, which I designed myself.
Alongside your home furnishings line you also design patterns for the fashion industry (previous collaborations include Burberry and Jasmine Di Milo) – how does it differ from interiors?
My work does not really differ a great deal between the industries. With my interiors collections I tend to create a few designs in a natural colour palette option as I know quite a few people like to use naturals in their homes – unlike the fashion industry, where it’s a little more daring and prints can be more eccentric. Creating a fashion collection would definitely be exciting, and it is something I would consider in the future.
What trends do you think will be big this year?
I think bold print is here to stay for some time and flashes of colour, too.
What do you enjoy most about being a designer?
I love being able to express myself in a beautiful way and it’s even better when people appreciate it.
Your studio is based in west London – what do you like about the area and where are your go-to places?
When I look around west London, I would describe it as ‘unpretentiously cool’. For places to eat, I would recommend The Ledbury, Ottolenghi, Bumpkin and Julie’s. For places to shop – Portobello Market on Saturdays, Matches on Ledbury Road and Marylebone High Street and for places to go, try Yoyos, The Rum Kitchen, The Electric Diner, The Cow and The Westbourne.
What do you think the future hold for Banke Kuku Textiles?
I look to keep growing and developing a unique and exciting lifestyle brand.
