3 Bay Area Textile Designers To Have On Your Radar
Three local textile designers translate their environments into luxurious fabrics for both home decor and apparel.
ERICA TANOV
Berkeley designer Erica Tanov has been a presence on the Bay Area design scene for more than 20 years. Known for an organic, earthy aesthetic, she looks to nature for inspiration and translates those motifs into hand-drawn patterns and fabrics. For Tanov, a floral bouquet becomes fodder for silk dresses, cotton quilts and pillowcases, while fern fronds make their way onto wallpaper. “With nature being a constant undercurrent of inspiration for my collections, I’ve recently developed a kaleidoscopic print created from a portion of a vintage botanical drawing,” she says. The current fall collection is hugely textural, recalling the grandeur of ancient palaces visited on a recent trip to India. Pewter-coated cotton and hints of metallic are reminiscent of the grand fort in Jodhpur, India, and intricate hand-embroidery nods to the carved marble of the Taj Mahal. This winter, Tanov will debut her first perfume and launch a metal tile collection in collaboration with Cle Tile.
PHOTO: NGOC MINH NGO
BOUCLE
Although she’s lived in Paris, Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina, Schauleh Vivian Sahba draws inspiration for her textile designs from her beloved home base in San Francisco. Taking cues from both natural beauty and the energy of city life, she creates colorful patterns painted by hand using watercolors or digitally designed using skills she learned at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. “I’m drawn to work that is somewhat abstract, imperfect or somehow reveals the work of the human hand,” she says. “I think harmony is in the eye of the beholder, and I like to create it in unusual ways.” Sahba develops fabrics to be used in apparel, accessories and home goods for clients like Athleta, Pottery Barn and Tart Collections, producing everything from upholstery fabric to window coverings to children’s bedding and women’s apparel. Look out for furniture-making workshops this winter. bouclesf.com
PHOTOS COURTESY ARTISANS DIY CLUB AND BOUCLE SF
COYUCHI
At its core, Coyuchi is about allowing its organic fibers to take center stage. The Point Reyes-based company uses the finest-quality materials for its luxurious line of linens, throws and apparel in a coastal-inspired palette of blues, grays and other natural hues. “The colors, tactile softness and raw beauty of coastal lands inform our design process,” says CEO Eileen Mockus. “From the sun-washed cliffs of Big Sur to the misty East Hampton beaches, we bring an easy elegance to each piece.” Coyuchi is also committed to the environment, using eco-friendly Biosoft technology that eliminates the need for harsh chemicals when processing materials and partnering with Fibershed to launch climate-beneficial wool. The company’s forthcoming Spring 2019 collection will feature color blocks, geometric patterns and new striped sheeting.