Homegirl London pays homage to Emily Humphrey. This fashion print designer has turned her attention to interior products. Her collection of soft furnishings (cushions) and furniture (upholstered armchairs) are lavished with digitally printed patterns. Inspired by the Victorian era, expect to be delighted by her modern interpretation of toile, which captures the popular sights of Harrogate. Vintage scrapbooks and treasures found at French flea markets also provide Emily with rich imagery for her stunning home furnishings. She surprises with anti matchy-matchy patterns, so you’ll find cushions with completely different designs on each side. I caught up with Emily Humphrey to find out more.
Emily Humphrey – Cushion Collection
Meet Emily Humphrey
Emily studied BA (Hons) in Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University. Following her degree, she worked as a print designer in the fashion world for eight years. This included stints for Paul Smith Womenswear and Ted Baker, plus a freelance career.
Emily Humphrey
After gaining experience designing prints for other brands, Emily was ready for a change of direction. She reveals – “I wanted to get a taste of creative control under my own name. I left London and moved back to my Northern roots. Working in-house for brands was a fantastic experience however, after eight years, freelancing allowed me the freedom to relocate and time to explore my love for interiors while still keeping one eye on fashion. I started designing for my own collection, which was launched in July 2012.”
Emily Humphrey – Harrogate Toile Chair Homage to Harrogate Popular Sights
Emily is currently based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and plans to move to Sheffield in August, she tells me – “My husband and I have bought a Victorian house, so at long last, I get to decorate! It overlooks the Botanical Gardens, so I’m sure it will inspire my work next season. I love Sheffield, there’s a real creative buzz about the place, and it’s on the doorstep to the Peak District, so it ticks a lot of boxes for me.”
Emily Humphrey – Gallery Cushion Featuring Vintage Collector’s Treasures
At the moment, Emily works pretty much alone, so does everything herself, she tells me – “I do feel a sense of achievement when the finished articles turn out just as I’d hoped and designed. It makes all the hard work and extra hours worthwhile when my work is appreciated by people who’ve never heard of the brand before and just like it for what I hoped they would.”
View the Emily Humphrey Collection
Emily describes her design style – “It’s quirky, characterful and eclectic – a homage to my love of print and nudge from the norm! My patterns are anti matchy-matchy, so colours across the collection could potentially fit into lots of different interiors. There are some more vintage hued prints alongside more traditional toile colours and styles which are off-set with contrasting minimal graphic elements.”
Emily Humphrey – Magpie Paradise Cushion Featuring Magpies Hoarding Stolen Treasures
Christian Lacroix’s work is held in high esteem by Emily – “His exuberance and passion for design within fashion and now in his amazing interior and stationery collections is fantastic. His work is print-greedy, just the way I like it. His hotels in Paris are amazing with stunning marble affect carpets – genius!”
Emily Humphrey – Marché Aux Puces Armchair Inspired by French Flea Market Finds
Her passion for vintage markets is evident in her work; she reveals – “I love looking at things from the past.
There was greater attention to detail and ornamentation. I enjoy travelling to new places (especially if it’s sunny!) to see what other cultures and landscapes offer. I’m a print magpie, so I get drawn to some random stuff!”
Emily Humphrey – Cushion Selection
Emily combines her unique patterns with digital printing techniques. She tells me – “Digital printing is now commonplace within the fashion and is now having its time within interiors. Paul Smith pioneered digital print in fashion in the early days, and working there at the start of my career was very inspiring. Digital technology has allowed designers to capture great detail, texture and colour. For independent makers like myself, I’m not restricted by minimum orders, which allows for a more bespoke approach. Britain has championed digital technology to revive our textile industry once again, focusing on the quality, heritage and craftsmanship it is historically renowned for. I’m a big fan of “100% British made” for my brand, and where possible, all products will be made here in good old Blighty!”
Emily Humphrey – Cushion Selection
Emily’s current inspiration comes from her surroundings; she explains – “My first interior print collection is called the Harrogate Collection. I love Victorian architecture and the spa town lifestyle that went with it. From the more traditional scenes of Victorian Bathers and landmarks in the town to aged vintage paintings, Victorian detailing, English roses and cheeky magpies! I’m a hoarder of vintage scrapbooks and ephemera, so it was a fitting theme that ticked all the boxes on a self-indulgent level.”
Emily Humphrey – Harrogate Collection Prints
The Signature Collection showcases two prints that sum up the ethos of the brand; ‘nudge from the norm’ and ‘tradition with titter!’
Emily Humphrey – Signature Collection Prints
The cushions come in two sizes 45cm x 45cm and 60cm x 60cm. The front and back have different prints, so you can flip them over when you fancy a change. All cushions are digitally printed on 100% cotton satin with 100% duck feather-filled pads. Fabric is also available by the metre on selected upholstery and drape bases.
Buy Emily Humphrey Products
If you’ve fallen in love with Emily’s work, you can buy it from the Emily Humphrey Website. To give you an idea about prices – cushions sell for £70-109 and fabric from £62 per metre. The printed chairs and furniture shown on the website are vintage pieces that have been customised with prints from the collection, offering something truly bespoke and unique.
Author: Homegirl London. Thanks: Emily Humphrey.
